Sunday of Orthodoxy was celebrated on March 24, 2024, at the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint George in the Phanar, with profound solemnity, adhering faithfully to centuries-old traditions.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy, accompanied by Hierarchs Athenagoras of Vizi, Makarios of Anea, Theodoritos of Laodicea, Eugene of Crete, Ambrose of Korea, Arsenios of Austria, Apostolos of New Jersey, Chrysostomos of Symi, Nathaniel of Chicago, Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, Iakovos of Ireland, and Theodoros of Seleucia. The ordination of the Ukrainian-born subdeacon Basil Pokhylets was held during the Divine Liturgy.
Metropolitan Nathaniel of Kos and Nisyros delievered the panegyric of the day.
Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne, clergymen, Archons of the Holy Great Church of Christ, headed by the Archon Teacher of the Nation Konstantinos Delikostantis, Secretary General of their Brotherhood “Panagia Pammakaristos”, Ambassador Konstantinos Koutras, Consul General of Greece in Constantinople, and Honorary Ambassador Dimitrios Rallis, Deputy Secretary General of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, relatives of the new deacon, teachers and students of the Greek diaspora schools, and many believers from Constantinople and abroad.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Ecumenical Patriarch, joined by the co-celebrating Hierarchs, conducted the prescribed Trisagion service for the repose of all souls “who struggled and died for our Orthodox faith.”
The procession of the holy icons unfolded in the courtyard of the Patriarchate, with the Ecumenical Patriarch imparting his blessings upon the faithful gathered there.
Following the procession, in the Throne Room, the Ecumenical Patriarch offered paternal words of guidance and counsel to the newly ordained Deacon Basil, who is set to serve in the Holy Metropolis of Korea.
He also addressed the challenging trials endured by the homeland of the newly ordained clergyman, the long-suffering Ukraine, over the past two years. He expressed hopes for a just and lasting peace in the region, urging Deacon Basil to embody the principles of peace in his daily life and ministry.
In his response, Deacon Basil conveyed his heartfelt gratitude and unwavering devotion to the Mother Church, the Ecumenical Patriarch, and his spiritual shepherd, Metropolitan Ambrosios of Korea.
Photos: FB account Yani Kayakoparan / Translated by Thanos Chrysanthopoulos
