Today, Good Friday, morning, in a pious and devout atmosphere, the Service of the Hours and the Descent from the Cross was held at the Holy Patriarchal Church, presided by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, assisted by Metropolitans Meliton of Philadelphia, Chrysostomos of Myra, Theoleptos of Iconio, Stephanus of Kallioupolis and Madytos, Athenagoras of Kidonies, Amphilochios of Adrianople, and Archbishop Iov of Telmessos.
Protosyncellus Andreas preached the Word of the God.
The old handmade embroidered epitaph, bearing the image of the dead body of Christ, was brought in procession into the church and placed into the flowery decorated Holy Table, at the centre of Solea, by Archimandrite Vissarion and Preacher Panaretos.
Ecumenical Patriarch was the first to bow and there followed the Hierarchs, the holy clergy and the crowd of faithful. The Patriarch distributed flowers to everyone, as is customary.
The Holy Service was also attended by the Consul of Greece to Ankara, Petros Mavroeidis and his wife, as well as Chief Officiales (Judicial Vicars).