On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew left Thessaloniki by air for his see following his five-day visit.
At the airport, he was accompanied by Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki. He was bid farewell there by Metropolitan Nikodemos of Kassandreia, numerous hierarchs, government representatives, political, local administrative, and military authorities, the president and board of directors of the Philoptochos Brotherhood of Men of Thessaloniki, and other dignitaries.
The previous day, Monday, February 2, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the Ecumenical Patriarch presided over the Divine Liturgy at the historic, eponymous Holy Church of the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki.
Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki, who was present in prayer together with other Hierarchs, addressed the Ecumenical Patriarch with warm words. In his response, the Ecumenical Patriarch made special reference to the third anniversary of the passing of the late Hierarch of the Throne and distinguished theologian, the ever-memorable Metropolitan of Pergamon John. He immediately celebrated a Trisagion service for the repose of the blessed hierarch’s soul.
Then, the Ecumenical Patriarch visited the parish Holy Churches of Panagia Evangelistria at the Evangelistria Cemeteries and of Saint Apostle Paul in the namesake Municipal District of the city. He also visited the Philoptochos Brotherhood of Men estate in Thessaloniki, where he inaugurated a mosaic of the Apostle Paul in the courtyard of the namesake old church. He then proceeded to the parish church of Saint Paraskevi in the Stavroupoli cemetery, where he was warmly welcomed by Metropolitan Barnabas of Neapolis and Stavroupoli and a multitude of faithful.
The Ecumenical Patriarch celebrated a Trisagion service for the repose of the soul of his predecessor, Patriarch Joachim III the Magnificent. As Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, Patriarch Joachim III oversaw the construction and iconographic decoration of the Holy Church.
Metropolitan Barnabas welcomed the Ecumenical Patriarch with words of respect and devotion, offering him a portrait of the ever-memorable Patriarch Joachim III.
In the afternoon, the Ecumenical Patriarch attended and addressed the official event of the Philoptochos Brotherhood of Men of Thessaloniki for the presentation of the commemorative two-volume publication on its history and its multifaceted contribution to the city and the people of Thessaloniki. Within the framework of the event, a concert was given by the Thessaloniki State Orchestra, with the participation of choirs, under the direction of the most learned President of the Philoptochos Brotherhood, Georgios K. Konstantinidis, Chief Conductor and lawyer.
Translation: Ioanna Georgakopoulou
Departure photos: Demosthenis Tsavdaridis
