The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, on the occasion of the feast of Saint Theophano the Empress, presided over the Vespers service celebrated on the eve of the feast, 15 December 2025, at the Patriarchal Church.
On the day of the feast, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated, with Metropolitan Gregory of Ankara officiating. The Ecumenical Patriarch joined in prayer from the Holy Sanctuary. Also present were the Metropolitans: Elder Apostolos of Derkoi, Chrysostomos of Myra, and Joachim of Prousa; Bishop Nikiforos of Amorion; clergy and monastics, as well as faithful from Constantinople and from abroad.
The holy relic of the Saint, which is enshrined in the Most Holy Patriarchal Church, was exposed for veneration by the faithful on both days.
Photo: Nikos Papachristou
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
