The Feast Day of the Venerable Patriarchal Church of Saint George at the Phanar
In a joyful Resurrection atmosphere and with deep reverence, on the Sunday of Thomas, 23 April 2023, the Venerable Patriarchal Church celebrated its patron, Saint George the Great Martyr and Trophy Bearer.
The Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Theoleptos of Iconium, and His Eminence Metropolitan Andreas of Forty Churches and His Eminence Metropolitan Ioakeim of Bursa.
During the Divine Liturgy, the blessing of the five loaves (Artoklasia) was performed for the beloved children of the Holy Great Church of Christ, in America, as well as all over the world.
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was present also in prayer from the Holy Altar, while immediately after the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, he distributed red Paschal eggs to the crowded congregation.
Also present for the Patriarchal Feast Day were: His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of Miletus, His Eminence Metropolitan Irinaios of Myriophytos and Peristasis and His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Myra, His Grace Bishop Adrianos of Halicarnassus and His Grace Bishop Paisios of Xanthoupolis. Also present were Ms. Georgia Soultanopoulou, Consul General of Greece in the City, who was celebrating her name-day, as well as the Consuls General of Ukraine Mr. Roman Nedilskyi, of Moldova Mr. Sergiu Gurduza, of Montenegro Mr. Branislav Karadzic and of North Macedonia Mr. Aktan Ago, the heads of the Consulates General of Romania Mr. Lucian Cringasu and of Georgia Mr. Zaza Nadiradze, and the Consul of Bulgaria Mr. Krasimir Tsenovski, Archon Officials and faithful from Constantinople and abroad.
Afterwards, in the Throne Room, His All-Holiness, in his speech, welcomed the Diplomats and the other attendees and, among others, he wished that the diabolical war in Ukraine would soon end and that peace would prevail, while he once again expressed his support for the earthquake victims of southeastern Turkey and Syria.
At noon, His All-Holiness invited the present Consuls General and representatives of Consulates General to sit down at the celebratory Paschal table set up in the courtyard of the Patriarchate.
More photos: Nikos Papachristou / Ecumenical Patriarchate
