Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: The Greece-Turkey friendship is vital for peace in the region
The joy for the rewarming of the relations between Turkey and Greece, but also his gratitude to those who contribute in this direction, first of all the leaders of the two neighbouring countries, expressed His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, on Friday, 8 November 2024, after the Divine Liturgy for the celebration of the Synaxis of the Supreme Commanders, at the Holy Church of the Holy Archangels in the Mega Revma (Arnavutköy) Community.
The Holy Sermon was preached by the Patriarchal Deacon Anatolios Doxastakis.
Also present for the Divine Liturgy were Their Eminences, Metropolitan Hilarion of Winnipeg, Metropolitan Athenagoras of Kydonia, Hierarchical Proistamenos of the Bosphorus District, and Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, Archons of the of the Holy Great Church of Christ, the Deputy Minister of Education, Religion and Sports of Greece Ms. Zetta Makri, the Ambassador His Excellency Mr. Konstantinos Koutras, Consul General of Greece in Constantinople, the Secretary General of Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Education of Greece, Mr. Georgios Kalantzis, a group of High School students with their teachers from Trikala, Thessaly, as well as a delegation of students from the Zografeion Lyceum of Constantinople lead by their Principal Mr. Ioannis Demirtzoglou, and a number of faithful believers from Constantinople and Greece.
Immediately after, His All-Holiness conducted a Trisagion for the repose of the souls of the late Patriarchs Sophronius II, Gabriel IV, Constantius II and Gregory VI, whose remains are buried in the precincts of the Church, as well as late Hierarchs of the Mother Church.
In his speech, during the reception that followed, in the Community Hall, the Ecumenical Patriarch referred to the great feast of the Holy Archangels and its association with the mission of the Church.
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew addressed the warming of Greek-Turkish relations during his speech at the Community Hall of the Holy Church of the Archangels in Mega Revma (Arnavutköy).
In his address, the Patriarch praised the efforts of both governments in fostering closer ties between the two peoples, emphasising the importance of cooperation, especially in times of international crisis. “We are grateful to all who contribute to this happy rapprochement between two neighbouring, friendly and allied nations with so much in common,” the Patriarch said.
He added, “Building friendship and cooperation between them is more important than ever, especially in the challenging global circumstances”.
He further acknowledged, “The leaders of this commendable effort are, of course, the distinguished President of the Republic of Turkey and the Prime Minister of Greece, and both peoples are following their lead with satisfaction.” The Patriarch continued, noting that the two leaders “believe that such rapprochement and cooperation can only yield positive results for both countries and the entire region,” with peace as the ultimate goal.
In addition, the Patriarch underscored that friendship and cooperation between Greece and Turkey are crucial for peace and stability in the region, and emphasised the vital role of education in strengthening relations between nations.
The Patriarch congratulated and praised the Overseer of the Bosphorus District, His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of Kydonia, “who with his zeal and devotion to duty justifies the hopes and expectations of the Mother Church”. His All-Holiness also congratulated the Board of the Community Mega Revma, chaired by Ms. Dora Diakrousi, but also the Philoptochos Association, as well as all those who contribute to the work carried out there.
Previously, His All-Holiness was addressed with warm words by His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of Kydonia, and Ms. Dora Diakrousi, Loxandra Mais, President of the Philoptochos Association, and Toula Mouzakas, President of the Mega Revma Association “The Taxiarchis”. in Athens.
On the eve of the feast, the Ecumenical Patriarch officiated at the Great Vespers, at the celebrating Church of the Holy Archangels, Steni. The Holy Sermon at the Vespers was preached by the Grand Preacher, Archimandrite Panaretos.
In his speech, His All-Holiness referred to the meaning of the feast day and pointed out that for the conquest of that world by the Angelic Powers “it is worth every sacrifice and every struggle in this life on our part. The Church is the loving mother, who helps her children in this spiritual struggle to eventually lead them to the Container of the Uncontainable, to the Land of the Living, where there is no sorrow or sighing, but eternal bliss with God and his bright-shinning angels”.
Photographs: Nikos Papachristou
