The Service of the Akathist Hymn at the Ecumenical Patriarchate
His All-Holiness 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. His All-Holiness was joined in concelebration by His Eminence Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia, His Eminence Metropolitan Irenaios of Myriophytos and Peristasis, His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Myra, His Eminence Metropolitan Theolyptos of Iconium, His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Silyvria, His Eminence Metropolitan Ioustinos of Nea Krini and Kalamaria and His Eminence Metropolitan Ioakeim of Bursa.
His All-Holiness read the 1st Stanza of the Salutations to the Theotokos, whilst the three following stanzas were read consecutively by Their Eminences, 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, His All-Holiness 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.
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