Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple in Stavrodromi
The Renowned Stavrodromi Community
On Thursday, 21 November 2024, the feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, celebrated for the 220th time in the Cathedral of the City, at the Church of Panagia of Stavrodromi (built in 1804), the Festal Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Concelebrating with His All-Holiness were Their Eminences, Elder Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi, Metropolitan Joseph in Western and Southern Europe, Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, Metropolitan Antonios in Western and Southern Europe, Metropolitan Athenagoras of Kydonia, Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria, Metropolitan Theodoros of Seleucia, and His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Tanagra.
The Divine Liturgy was attended with devotion and festive joy by the Greek Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Mr. Christos Stylianides, the Consul General of Greece in Constantinople, His Excellency Ambassador Konstantinos Koutras, the President of the Renowned Community of Stavrodromi, Mr. Giorgos Papaliaris, with members of the Board of Trustees, as well as a multitude of believers from Constantinople and abroad.
During the Divine Liturgy, the ordination of the Patriarchal Deacon, Fr. Ieronymos Sotirelis, to the priesthood took place, who will also continue to serve in the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The ordination was performed by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Addressing Fr. Ieronymos, after praising his character and ministry at the Phanar, he referred to his gifts and with fatherly admonitions called on him to continue serving the Great Church. Finally, he asked him not to “be haughty, but to continue to be meek and humble,” while His All-Holiness called on the congregation to pray during the ordination so that the new priest may fulfill his priestly duties with zeal and faith.
The Hierarchical Proistamenos of the Stavrodromi Community, His Eminence Metropolitan Andreas of Forty Churches, welcoming His All-Holiness, sought His Patriarchal and Paternal blessings so that the Renowned Community may continue to carry out all good works and strengthen the Greek Diaspora.
In his speech, the President of the Stavrodromi Community welcomed the faithful and graduates of Zographeion Lyceum, who are in Constantinople for the celebration of the 60th and 40th years since their graduation, expressed his gratitude to the Primate of the Ecumenical Throne and thanked His Eminence Metropolitan Andreas of Forty Churches, His Grace Bishop Benjamin of Trallee, the members of the Board of Trustees, the esteemed Consul General of Greece, Ambassador Koutras, for the excellent cooperation. Finally, he informed those present that the report of the Community’s works, which were carried out during the current year, will be published in the Greek-language press of the City and on the Community’s website. In closing, he wished everyone many blessed years.
Photographs: Yani Kayakoparan and the Renowned Stavrodromi Community
