Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa, and Archbishop Ioannis of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania have been on the island of Imbros since the evening of Tuesday, August 11.
The three Primates departed from the Phanar with their respective delegations and travelled by sea to the birthplace of the Ecumenical Patriarch. Upon their arrival, they visited the Metropolitan Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in the island’s capital.
Their presence on Imbros comes as the Ecumenical Patriarch marks the 65th anniversary of his entry into the holy clergy. The anniversary is connected with his graduation from the Theological School of Halki and his ordination to the diaconate in 1961.
On the morning of Wednesday, August 12, the three Primates visited the small museum dedicated to the life and ministry of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
They subsequently visited the coffeehouse and barbershop once operated by the Ecumenical Patriarch’s late father, Christos Archontonis.
The historic premises are closely associated with Patriarch Bartholomew’s childhood and family memories on his native island.
Later that afternoon, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Patriarch Theodore and Archbishop Ioannis travelled to Agioi Theodoroi, the Ecumenical Patriarch’s native village.
At the Church of Saint George, Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria presided over Great Vespers for the Apodosis of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Paraklesis to the Most Holy Theotokos, with the Archbishop of Albania also presiding.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew prayerfully attended the services from the Holy Altar.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou
