Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: The Transfer of the relic of Saint Gervasios is a blessing for the people of Imbros
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew participated in the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday, 18 August 2024, at the Metropolitan Church of Imbros, celebrating the feast day of the Saints of Imbros and Tenedos. The service was officiated by His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras, with the presence of Metropolitans Kyrillos of Moschonisia, Chrysostomos of Myra, and Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos, along with His Grace Bishop Parthenios of Antania from the Archdiocese of Ohrid. The liturgy was attended by clergy, monks, nuns, Archons Offikalioi of the Great Church of Christ, and many faithful believers.
Following the Dismissal, His Eminence Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos warmly welcomed His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras, who had arrived on the island the previous day. He expressed heartfelt thanks to him for bringing and presenting a fragment of the holy relic of Saint Gervasios of Patras, which was placed in the centre of the soleas for veneration by the faithful. In response, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras shared his deep emotion for visiting the historically significant but long-suffering land of Imbros, and he spoke at length about the ministry and contributions of the island’s most distinguished “offspring,” the Ecumenical Patriarch.
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew then addressed the congregation, warmly welcoming the Metropolitan of Patras and emphasising that his presence on the island was a source of great joy. He described the transfer of the relic fragment as a profound blessing for the people of Imbros.
At noon, the Patriarch hosted a luncheon in honour of Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras and his entourage. Later in the afternoon, he welcomed them to a small museum dedicated to his life and ministry, located next to his childhood home in the village of Agioi Theodoroi.
Immediately afterwards, the Ecumenical Patriarch, along with Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras, the newly arrived Metropolitan Iakovos of Mexico, clergy, and a large audience, attended a cultural event. The event was organised by the Holy Metropolis of Imbros and Tenedos and the Mount Athos Centre and took place in the Hall of the Association for Protection, Solidarity, and Sustainable Development “Imbros,” located in his village.
During the event, watercolor paintings of the 20 Holy Monasteries of Mount Athos, created by Hieromonk Loukas Xenofontinos, were exhibited, and the documentary “Sacred Art” by Panos Karkanevatos was screened.
The local Metropolitan and Anastasios Douros, the Director of the Mount Athos Centre, presented the event. In his brief closing remarks, the Ecumenical Patriarch congratulated the artists and everyone who contributed to the event’s success.
Photographs: Nikos Papachristou / Ecumenical Patriarchate
