“Church and Science compliment eachother for the good of the human person and society”

On the occasion of the feast of St Theofanou of the Queen, His All Holiness, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew prayed together on Thursday, December 16, at the Patriarchal Church of St George, Phanar , during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy performed by His Eminence, Metropolitan Andreas of “Saranta Ekklesion”.

In attendance also were fellow Heirarchs, His Eminence, Metropolitan Stephanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos, His Grace, Bishop Adrianos of Alikarnassos, Lecturers and students from the 2nd General High School of Keratsini, Piraeus and many faithful from the city of Constantinople.

After the Divine Liturgy, the Patriarch offered his paternal words to the students from Keratsini, urging them, among other things, to always be people of love and self-sacrifice, sincere and honest. His Holiness spoke about the timeless contribution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and wished them every success in their studies and a good career, asking them to convey to their relatives, classmates and teachers the blessing, wishes, unceasing love and affection of the Mother Church of Constantinople.

Addressing all the faithful, the Patriarch urged them once again to follow the recommendations of doctors and scientists, and not to have any reservations about the means that science gives us, reiterating that Church and Science are not in rivalry, but complement each other for the good of man and society.

On the day of the feast, as well as during the Vespers the evening before, the holy relic of the Saint Theophano, which is kept in the Patriarchal Church, was exhibited for veneration by the faithful.