Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew officiates at the Lenten Vespers at the Church of Panagia Balinos

In a reverent atmosphere, the 4th Lenten Vespers took place on Sunday, 7 April 2024, officiated by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, at the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, Balinos, Golden Horn District.

Inside the renovated church, members of the Patriarchal Court and the choir of the Pera Association of Musicians directed by the Archon Protopsaltis Panagiotis Neochoritis and the inspiring speech of the Grand Syncellus Archimandrite Father Iakovos marked the day and the Lenten Vespers.

In this remote church, Orthodox believers from different ethnicities gathered and created the reverent and devout atmosphere that befits the days of Great Lent. At the end of the Vespers Service, according to the local custom of Constantinople, clergy and people alike, after making the prostration of forgiveness, kissed the hand of the Ecumenical Patriarch.

It was decided that these Vespers will be a meeting point for the Theologians of Halki who live in Constantinople and Imbros, by the graduates and current students of the Theological School of Halki who were present and live in Constantinople as well as with the consent of His All-Holiness.

The Consul of Ukraine in Constantinople, Mr. Maxim Vdovichenko, as well as the sponsor of the Community Mr. Byron Nikolaidis, both honoured the Community with their presence at the Vespers.

Dr. Symeon Soltaridis