Komotini joyously greets visiting Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I
Numerous faithful in the northeast city of Komotini enthusiastically greeted the visiting Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His All Holiness Bartholomew I, on Wednesday, who was welcomed to the border municipality with head of state honors.
The Primate of the Mother Church’s pastoral visit coincided with the conveying of the wonder-working Holy Icon of the Axion Esti from the Protaton of Mount Athos to the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Komotini.
A celebratory Doxology service was held immediately after the joyous arrival of the Ecumenical Patriarch.
His All Holiness was officially greeted to the ecclesiastical jurisdiction by the resident Metropolitan, His Eminence Panteleimon of Maronia and Komotini.
The Doxology service was also attended by the Civil Governor of Mount Athos, Athanasios Martinos.
The Metropolitan of Sevastia, His Eminence Serafim, officiated at the Festal Vesper on the occasion of the great Feast Day of the Nativity of the Theotokos.
After the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Seraphim again thanked the Ecumenical Patriarch for his pastoral visit to Komotini and for the day’s con-celebratory services.
On Thursday morning, residents from around the Thrace province, as well as pilgrims from around Greece, were blessed to rejoice over the great Feast Day before the Axion Esti Holy Icon of the Panaghia, the Virgin Mary.
In reply, His All Holiness, underlined the ongoing struggle being waged for the ancient rights and respect of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, often in the face of every type of malevolent propaganda.
Afterwards, the Ecumenical Patriarch arrived at the gravesite of reposed Metropolitan of Maronia and Komotini Damaskinos, which is located in the courtyard of the Metropolitan Cathedral, for the annual trisagion prayer service in memory of the reposed hierarch, as well as for reposed Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Chrysanthos.
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Source: orthodoxianewsagency.gr
