The Leave-taking of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos celebrated in the Village of the Ecumenical Patriarch on Imbros
On Friday, 23 August 2024, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy which took place on the occasion of the Leave-taking of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos at the celebrating Church in His Village, Agioi Theodoroi on Imbros.
Concelebrating with His All-Holiness were Their Eminences, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Myra and Metropolitan Iakovos of Mexico, while also present in prayer was the local Metropolitan, His Eminence Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos.
Also present for the Feast Day were clergy, nuns, Archons of the Great Church of Christ, members of various Imbrian Associations and many faithful believers.
The Holy Sermon was delivered by Metropolitan Iakovos of Mexico.
Imbrian Archon Lampadarios of the Great Church of Christ, Musicologist Mr. Stylianos Floikos with Chanters from the Holy Metropolis of Imbros and Tenedos chanted from the right chanter’s stand, while on the left chanter’s stand were the Byzantine Choir “The Domestikoi of Drama” under the direction of Musicologist Mr. Grigorios Papaemmanouil.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, a procession of the ancient icon of the Virgin Mary took place from the celebratory Church to the neighbouring Church of Saint George, where the Artoklasia (blessing of the five loaves) was performed.
After the Dismissal, His All-Holiness expressed his joy that he celebrated the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos and the Leave-taking of the Feast with his compatriots of Imbros, but also with the expatriate children and friends of Imbros, wishing everyone to be protected by the Grace of the Most Holy Theotokos. He then presented the Metropolitan of Mexico to the congregation, emphasising that despite the short time since his election and enthronement, he works with devotion for the flock of his missionary province, which includes numerous communities in almost 40 countries of Central and Latin America. Concluding his address, he expressed his Patriarchal satisfaction to the Metropolitan of Imbros and Tenedos for the work being carried out in his island ecclesiastical province, while he also referred to the importance of the upcoming Pan-Imbrian Conference that will be held next month in Athens, in which he will attend and bless its work.
Immediately after, in the neighbouring Hall of the Protection, Solidarity and Sustainable Development Association of “Imbros”, a celebratory event of the Metropolis took place, in the context of which a group of members of the Hellenic Lyceum of Drama, performed traditional dances.
On Thursday afternoon, His All-Holiness officiated at the Great Vespers of the feast, during which the Holy Sermon was preached by the Grand Ecclesiarch Archimandrite Aetios, Director of the Personal Patriarchal Office.
At the end of the Vespers Service, His All-Holiness, among other things, spoke with warm words about his close associate, Grand Ecclesiarch Archimandrite Aetios, highlighting his gifts and especially his devotion and hard work.
Afterwards, His All-Holiness attended a cultural event, in which members of the “Ionia Aidon” choir from Heraklion, Crete, performed traditional Cretan and artistic songs.
On Saturday morning, His All-Holiness, along with his entourage, will depart from Imbros for the Constantinople.
