Ecumenical Patriarch: No matter how many centuries pass, the truth of our faith will always be relevant

Saint Phocas, who lived and martyred in Sinope of Pontus, is one of the thousands of martyrs who shed their blood in this blessed land of our Fathers “for the holy faith of Jesus Christ”, refusing to worship the idols.

No matter how many centuries pass, for us Christians, this great truth of our faith will always be valid and relevant”, stressed the Ecumenical Patriarch, in his speech.

Elsewhere in his speech and on the recent start of the new school year, the Ecumenical Patriarch wished “from the bottom of his heart this year to be fruitful and blessed for all students, but also our dear teachers here and in Imbros”.

Concluding, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his satisfaction to Metropolitan Athenagoras of Kydonia, Supervisor of the Bosporus Region “for his unwavering interest in Mesachoro, as well as for what he achieved remarkably as Supervisor of the Bosporus Region in a short time, with his diligence, and regularity”.

In his speech, the Metropolitan of Kydonia pointed out, among other things:

“Today, exactly one month before the completion of 30 years of Your Patriarchy, our Mesachoro has the special blessing from God Almighty to receive the manifestations of Your paternal affection and to enjoy the sacred presence of Your pastoral care.

This mystery of life and salvation continues to be celebrated by the Church of Christ for 2,000 years, aiming at the establishment on earth of the Kingdom of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, which is coming and is already present.”

After the speech of the Ecumenical Patriarch, Metropolitan Kyrillos of Krini, Patriarchal Exarch of Malta, and Professor at the University of Athens gave a speech. The Metropolitan of Krini pointed out, among other things, that the Church survived 2000 years because it is based on the truth of the Resurrection of Christ, while, elsewhere, he referred to the anniversary of the completion of thirty years of ministry of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the Ecumenical Throne.