LAST UPDATE 1/12/2021 12.00
In a festive atmosphere, the Ecumenical Patriarchate honored the memory of its founder, St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called.
On Tuesday, November 30, 2021, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy, along with the Metropolitans Elder Emmanuel of Chalkidona, Elder Dimitrios of Princes’ Islands, Nectarios of Anthidon, Vicar of the Holy Sepulcher in Constantinople, Vassilios of Constantia, and Famagusta, representative of the Church of Cyprus, Meliton of Philadelphia, Seraphim of Sevastia, Eirinaios of Myriophyton and Peristasis, Chrysostomos of Myra, Naum of Rousse, from the Patriarchate of Bulgaria, and Amfilochios of Adrianople.
During the Divine Liturgy, a Delegation of the Church of Rome was present under Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.
The address of the day was read by Metropolitan Kyrillos of Rhodes.
During the Divine Liturgy, a monk of the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegian Monastery of Our Lady of the Angels Gouvernetos, Chania, Crete, Luke, was ordained deacon by the Ecumenical Patriarch.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Ecumenical Patriarch addressed the official Delegation of the Church of Rome, expressing the thanks of the Church of Constantinople and himself to the Holy Pope of Rome, for the presence of his representatives at the Thronal Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The Ecumenical Patriarch stressed that with Pope Francis they have common concerns and common sensitivities, but also identical views to face the great challenges of our time.
Concluding his speech, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for his wishes on the occasion of his 30th anniversary on the Patriarchal Throne and congratulated him on the upcoming 85th anniversary of his birthday.
Cardinal Kurt Koch then read a message from Pope Francis in English.
At noon, the Ecumenical Patriarch hosted an official dinner in honor of the Delegation of the Church of Rome and all officials from Greece.