Patriarchal and Poly-Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and Memorial for the ever-remembered Ecumenical Patriarch Gregory VII
On Sunday, 10 November 2024, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Metropolitan Church of St. Dimitrios in Prinkipos, commemorating the late Ecumenical Patriarch Gregory VII, founder of the Holy Metropolis of Princes’ Islands, along with other departed hierarchs of the Metropolis.
The Ecumenical Patriarch concelebrated with Their Eminences, Metropolitan Dimitrios of Princes’ Islands, Metropolitan Irenaios of Myriophytos and Peristasis, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Myra, Metropolitan Athenagoras of Ilion, Metropolitan Stefanos of Kallioupolis, Metropolitan Athenagoras of Kydonia, Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria, Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna, and Metropolitan Theodore of Seleucia. The service was attended by local authorities, including Mayor Ali Ercan Akpolat of the Princes’ Islands, alongside many faithful from the region and greater Constantinople.
In his memorial address, His Eminence Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia praised Patriarch Gregory VII and his successors for their profound contributions to the Church and society, highlighting their unwavering faith, which has inspired generations of Greek Orthodox Christians in the area. He emphasised the lasting legacy of the Metropolis, describing it as “an immovable tower and an impregnable wall” for Orthodoxy.
During his homily, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew acknowledged the often tumultuous history of the Church, which has been marked by unpredictable historical developments. He emphasised that the Lord continuously provides His people with self-sacrificing shepherds. The Patriarch also commended Metropolitan Dimitrios, head of the Metropolis of Princes’ Islands, for his ongoing dedication and love for his congregation, drawing parallels with his esteemed predecessors, who dedicated their lives to the Church and the Greek community. The Patriarch further reflected on perseverance and hope as essential values for preserving Orthodox tradition and faith.
Following the Divine Liturgy, His All-Holiness led a Trisagion at the Prinkipos Cemetery, where he prayed for the repose of the souls of the late Metropolitans of the Metropolis, after which a reception was held at the Metropolitan House of Prinkipos. At the reception, attendees had the opportunity to exchange greetings and express their unity and support for the local Orthodox community.
On the preceding day, Saturday, 9 November 2024, His All-Holiness attended and blessed an official dinner hosted by the Association for the Support of Greek Community Foundations, held as part of an event titled “Romiosini: Today, Tomorrow, Always.” The Ecumenical Patriarch addressed the guests, underscoring the importance of preserving the Greek community and the cultural heritage of Constantinople. Board members and community leaders delivered short speeches addressing contemporary challenges facing the Greek Orthodox community.
The Patriarch’s two-day visit and the anniversary events provided a meaningful occasion for the faithful and community leaders to honour the historical journey of the Holy Metropolis of Princes’ Islands and to celebrate the enduring legacy of its past hierarchs.
