Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: “Everything we have inherited was achieved through great sacrifices”

On Sunday, 27 October 2024, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Consecration of the newly renovated Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos (Evangelistria) at the foothills of Tatavla and subsequently officiated at the Divine Liturgy.

This magnificent church, originally built at the end of the 19th century on the site of an older one, has undergone a thorough renovation, restoring it to its former splendour thanks to the generosity and care of major benefactors, Archon Exarch Athanasios Martinos, President of the Brotherhood of Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate “Panagia Pamakaristos,” and his wife, Marina Martinos.

In attendance were His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Myra, Their Graces Bishop Kassianos of Aravissos and Bishop Paisios of Xanthoupolis, the benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Martinos, the Greek Consul General in Constantinople Konstantinos Koutras, Alkiviadis Stefanis, Civil Administrator of Mount Athos, Manolis Kefalogiannis, Member of the European Parliament, and numerous faithful from both Constantinople and abroad.

The sermon was delivered by Deacon Oikoumenios Amanatidis, Deputy Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod.

Following the dismissal, the Ecumenical Patriarch chanted a Trisagion Memorial Service for the repose of the soul of the recently departed and ever-memorable Athena (Nounou) Martinos, mother of Mr Athanasios Martinos.

In his address, the Ecumenical Patriarch emphasised the profound significance of unwavering faith in God and the virtue of patience that Christians must demonstrate in the face of adversity and challenges. He invoked the example of the Great Martyr Saint Dimitrios the Myrrh-Streamer, as well as Saint Nestor, commemorated on this day.

The Ecumenical Patriarch stated: “This faith has sustained us here for centuries and has made our Church illustrious and glorious. Even in harsh times and during difficult years, it was our faith in God that became our refuge and support. From it, we drew patience and found strength as a Church and as a people. Indeed, “great are the achievements of faith”! With faith as our guide, even amidst the flames, one feels as if by peaceful waters.

We urge you, beloved children, to continue steadfastly in the faith of our forefathers, in the sacred traditions, and the customs handed down through generations, which have nurtured and sustained us spiritually throughout the ages. We have a sacred duty to preserve them and to pass them on to our children, so that our Greek Orthodox tradition may endure, so that our very existence may continue!

It is well known that to safeguard one’s blessings is more difficult than to acquire them. The community of the foothills of Tatavla works precisely towards this goal, proving its ability to withstand challenges and to preserve, restore, and deliver this magnificent and splendidly marbled Church of the Annunciation to its former glory, for which we have come today to bestow our blessing.

Everything we have inherited was achieved through great sacrifices, preserved through efforts, and entrusted to our responsibility and care—or rather to our love. Even lifeless objects require our affection, and it is our love that reflects upon them, imparting to them, so to speak, a soul by which they serve the living and rational beings—us, human beings.

Indeed, in the history of humanity, nothing great and lofty has ever been accomplished without love and sacrifice. And as few as we may be today, we need even greater love and sacrifices to be able to preserve with dignity and the traditional nobility of the Romiosyni of the City, all that our forefathers and the centuries have bequeathed to us.”

The Ecumenical Patriarch then expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the benefactors Athanasios and Marina Martinos, acknowledging their patriotic deeds which reflect their love for the Mother Church and the Nation.

“An embodiment of this boundless love for the Mother Church and the local Greek community is the honourable and beloved Archon Exarch and President of the Brotherhood of the Archons of the Great Church of Christ “Panagia Pamakaristos,” Mr Athanasios Martinos, and his gracious and esteemed wife, Marina, who undertook the entire cost of this comprehensive restoration of the Holy Church. This deeply moving act of devotion by the Martinos family is the latest in a series of their many donations, with the crowning achievement being the major sponsorship for the complete restoration and expansion of the Holy Theological School of Halki, which is progressing swiftly and expected to be completed by the fall of 2026.”

The Ecumenical Patriarch conveyed his gratitude to His Eminence Metropolitan Stephanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos, for his commendable initiative and diligent supervision of the restoration works, “who worthily represents our humility here and valiantly strives in close cooperation with the clergy, the honourable Church Committee, and the other responsible members of the Community.”

Prior to this, Metropolitan Stephanos had addressed the Ecumenical Patriarch, highlighting the church’s history and restoration efforts, and expressing gratitude to the Patriarch and the benefactors.

He also expressed immense thanks to Athanasios Martinos and his esteemed wife Marina, who spared no expense in renewing ‘this living palace of glory.’ Thus, they have become Great Benefactors of our Community and will be remembered forever, along with the founders of this holy house.”

The President of the Church Committee, Mr Prodromos Kosmaoglou, also addressed the Ecumenical Patriarch.

In the afternoon, the Ecumenical Patriarch attended and spoke at an event organised by the Ecumenical Federation of Constantinopolitans to honour the memory of the distinguished Greek physician, Marko Pasha, who lived during the 19th century and served as Chief Physician to the Sultan, Dean of the Imperial Military Medical School, and founder of the Red Crescent.

In his speech, the Ecumenical Patriarch congratulated the organisers and the honoured physicians.

Photographs: Nikos Papachristou

Source: orthodoxtimes.com