Through the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and under the restrictive measures that have been taken in order to stop its spread, the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple was celebrated in the Holy Temple of St. Fotini in Smyrna. Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna presided over the Great Vespers of the feast.
The Divine Liturgy was attended by Despina Balkiza, new Consul General of Greece in Smyrna and the Officers of the Greek Mission to the NATO Headquarters in Smyrna with their families, as well as, by members of the Orthodox Community of the capital of Ionia.
After the Divine Liturgy, the Metropolitan of Smyrna welcomed the new, celebrating, Consul General of Greece in Smyrna, wishing her strength in her new duties.
Metropolitan Bartholomew also officiated the following Sunday, November 22.
After the Dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, a memorial service was performed for the repose of the prematurely deceased Metropolitan Ioannis of Lagadas, Litis and Rentinis, with whom he was spiritually connected for a number of years.
On both days, Metropolitan Bartholomew referred to his sermon on the pandemic of Covid-19, urged the faithful to face it with their faith and hope in God and to follow the instructions of the experts.
Source: fanarion.blogspot.com
