Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew officiated on Friday, 31 March 2023, during the Service of the Akathist Hymn at the Venerable Patriarchal Church of Saint George in the Phanar.
He\ was joined in concelebration by Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia, Metropolitan Irenaios of Myriophytos and Peristasis, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Myra, Metropolitan Theolyptos of Iconium, Metropolitan Maximos of Silyvria, Metropolitan Ioustinos of Nea Krini and Kalamaria and Metropolitan Ioakeim of Bursa.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew read the 1st Stanza of the Salutations to the Theotokos, whilst the three following stanzas were read consecutively by Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia, Metropolitan Irenios of Myriophytos and Peristasis, and Metropolitan Ioustinos of Nea Krini and Kalamaria.
The Divine Word was preached, according to the order, by the second Deacon of the Patriarchal Court, Father Alexandros Koutsis, Librarian of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Also present for the Service were, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mr. Andreas Katsaniotis,
the Consul General of Greece in Constantinople Mrs. Georgia Sultanopoulou, the Ambassador Mr. Christodoulos Margaritis, Director of the Diplomatic Office of the Deputy Minister, Archons of the Great Church of Christ, and a multitude of believers from Constantinople and pilgrims from abroad.
Immediately after, His All-Holiness received in a private meeting Mr. Andreas Katsaniotis, with whom they had the opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest.
Before the Service of the Akathist Hymn, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew received Metropolitan Ioustinos of Nea Krini and Kalamaria, as he lead of a group of 50 students from his ecclesiastical province, who are making a pilgrimage to the City of Constantinople.
His All-Holiness, in his short speech, referred to the ministry of the Great Holy Church of Christ, but also to the ongoing war in Ukraine, which he condemned once again. Concluding his speech, he gave his Patriarchal blessing and his paternal wishes for health and prosperity to the young men and women, and to their families, in light of the upcoming Feast Day of Holy Pascha.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou / Ecumenical Patriarchate