On the afternoon of Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the Most Sacred Patriarchal Church, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Holy Service of the Sacred Passion of our Lord.
According to tradition, the Ecumenical Patriarch read the first of the twelve Gospel readings, followed by the co-officiating Metropolitans: Meliton of Philadelphia, Irenaios of Myriophyton and Peristasis, Chrysostomos of Myra, Theoleptos of Iconium, Ioakeim of Bursa, and Theodoros of Seleucia. Next, readings were delivered by the Grand Protosyncellus Grigorios, Archimandrite Bosporios, Chief Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, Director of the Private Patriarchal Office, and Grand Archimandrite Iakovos. According to custom, the twelfth Gospel reading was chanted by the Grand Archdeacon Alexandros.
During the procession of the Crucified Christ, the Patriarchal Church and the entire Patriarchate were shrouded in darkness, heightening the emotion felt by all.
A large congregation of faithful from Constantinople and abroad was in attendance.
In the morning of Holy Thursday, the Grand Protosyncellus celebrated Vespers and the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great at the Most Sacred Patriarchal Church, assisted by the Third-Ranking Hierarch, Barnabas.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
