Sunday, February 7, 2021

Metropolitan Bartholomew Marks St.Voukolos Day in Smyrna

His Eminence Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna (Ecumenical Patriarchate) celebrated services marking the feast of St.Voukolos,Bishop of Smyrna on 5-6 February 2021.The Great Vespers and Divine Liturgy were held at the historic Church of St.Voukolos in Smyrna (Izmir, Turkey).* The municipality of Izmir reopened the church as a museum in 2012 and a Greek Orthodox church in 2016.St.Voukolos was an ancient hierarch of the city and disciple of St.John the Evangelist and Theologian.Smyrna was also the site of the martyrdom of St.Polycarp, second century Bishop of Smyrna.Indeed,Smyrna was one of the Seven Churches of Asia mentioned by St.John the Evangelist in his Book of Revelation.* About a dozen faithful attended the Great Vespers, and around 20 were at the Divine Liturgy. The Orthodox Community in the area includes Russian expatriates, diplomats,and military families from NATO headquarters in Izmir,Allied Land Command.Some Slavic-speaking Orthodox attend Metropolitan Bartholomew's services,which include Old Calendar services for them.*

Ecumenical Patriarchate Communiqué - Ecumenical Patriarchate - Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America - Patriarchate Praises Biden Executive Orders

Ecumenical Patriarchate Communiqué - Ecumenical Patriarchate - Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America