Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew honoured the memory of Hieromartyr Patriarch Gregory V, of Constantinople
On Sunday, April 10, 2022, a day that honours the memory of the Martyr and Patriarchal Predecessor Gregory V, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, attended by praying from the Holy Altar of the venerable Patriarchal Church in the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, Presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Andrea of Forty Churches, during which the annual memorial service for the rest of the soul of the collaborator of His All Holiness the late Nikolaos Magginas, Photographer-Journalist, was held.
The Homily was preached by Patriarchal Deacon Father Ieronymos Sotirelis.
Also in attendence were Their Eminences, Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Myra, Metropolitan Ioakeim of Proussa, His Grace Bishop Adrianos of Alikarnassos, relatives and friends of the late Nikolaos Magginas, as well as holy faithful from the city and abroad.
Earlier, His All Holiness went, as every year, to the Closed Gate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the place of hanging of Patriarch Gregory V, accompanied by clergy of the Patriarchal Court, where he lit a candle, laid spring flowers and prayed for the Church and the Nation, invoking the grace and intercessions of this Holy Predecessor.
After the Divine Liturgy, a memorial reception was held, during which His Holiness spoke about the personality, ethos and contribution of the late Nikolaos Magginas, who with self-sacrifice and love for every person served the Mother Church.
“Christ will liberate Ukraine”
In the afternoon of the same day, His Holiness officiated during the 6th Lenten Vespers at the Holy Church of Saint Nikolaos Tzivalios, where the Divine Word was preached by Deacon Father Meletios Stefanatos.
Addressing the members of the Ukrainian Community who attended the church, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew once again referred to the dramatic developments in war-torn Ukraine and reiterated his support for the beloved Ukrainian people.
He reiterated that the ongoing war is unholy and diabolical and pointed out: “We are in favor of the law, in favor of the truth. Law and truth are with Ukraine, that is why we are with Ukraine.
The Gospel says: “Know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”. We Christians believe that the truth is Christ himself. Christ, then, will liberate Ukraine, which has the truth on its side.
We all pray, with all our hearts, for this catastrophic war to end as soon as possible. ”
Elsewhere, In His All Holiness’ speech, he stressed:
“This Pascha of 2022 will be a bitter Pascha for our Ukrainian brothers and not only. Great and Holy Friday will pass and Resurrection will come.
Those who will not come back will be the thousands of dead, the victims of this war. They, like everyone else, will pray from heaven not only for the freedom and prosperity of Ukraine, but will pray for truth and justice and peace throughout the world.
The Mother Church of Constantinople has always loved its spiritual children in Ukraine. Now we love you so much more. Happy Resurrection! ”
In attendence where Their Eminences, Metropolitan Maximus of Ioannina, Metropolitan Ioakeim of Proussa, Their Graces, Bishop Adrianos of Alikarnassos Supervisor of the Region of Fanari-Keratio Gulf, and Bishop Kassianos of Arabissos, clergymen, Archons of the Great Church of Christ , the Consul General of Ukraine in Constantinople, His excellency Mr Roman Nedilskyi, with Consulate officials, members of the Ukrainian Community and other faithful from the City and abroad.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou / Ecumenical Patriarchate
Source: Romfea.gr
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