Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Marks His Name Day on 11 June

The feast day of the Holy Apostles Barnabas and Bartholomew is the name day of His All-Holiness Ecumencial Patriarch Bartholomew.In observance,he will first preside at Vespers on 10 June at the Patriarchal Church of St.George.Then he will go next door to perform an agiasmos,a blessing by water,for the completion of renovations at the Phanar Greek Orthodox College (High School),the oldest and most prestigious Greek Orthodox school in Istanbul.Also called the Great School of the Nation,it was founded in 1454 by Patriarch Gennadios Scholarios.Phanar means "lantern" and refers to the patriarchate environs.After the blessing,he will receive the regards of the clerics and faithful for his name day.The current building dates from the 19th century and has the appearance of a red castle.The turret on top contains an observatory dome.The observatory hosts astronomy classes which use its large antique telescope.The private school teaches the required Turkish curriculum as well as Greek language,literature and religion.It has six Turkish teachers and fifteen Greek teachers.*The next day,His All-Holiness will preside at the Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Church of St.George.Concelebrating will be clerics from Constantinople and abroad.Following the dismissal,Patriarch Bartholomew will be addressed by the dean of the Phanar,His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon,and will respond to the good wishes.

Ενθρόνιση της ΑΘΠ του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχου Βαρθολομαίου Α' - 2 November 1991 - historic video with English narration

Kafenin Altındaki Büyük Saray Kalıntıları (Remains of the Great Palace of Constantinople)

Of Note:Ecumenical Patriarch Departs for UAE

On Thursday 8 December,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew departed Constantinople for the United Arab Emirate of Abu Dhabi.Accompanied by His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon,he will attend two interfaith and multicultural conferences in the Middle Eastern nation.It will be recalled that the Patriarch also attended a similar event in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia earlier this year.

Panorthodox Synod : MESSAGE OF POPE FRANCIS TO ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH FO...

Panorthodox Synod : MESSAGE OF POPE FRANCIS TO ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH FO...:   Photo by Vatican Media MESSAGE OF POPE FRANCIS TO HIS HOLINESS BARTHOLOMEW I ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH FOR THE FEAST OF SAINT ANDREW

Petrion Surları (Petrion Walls),Constantinople/Istanbul

The ruins back to a Greek Primary School.

Panorthodox Synod : THE PROPHETIC MINISTRY OF POPE FRANCIS AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW - HALKI SUMMIT V

Panorthodox Synod : THE PROPHETIC MINISTRY OF POPE FRANCIS AND ECUMENI...:   The Halki Summit

Panagia Paramythia Promo Video, OZU - the old Church of the Panagia Paramythia in Constantinople

Panorthodox Synod : DELEGATION FROM THE PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA AT CONSTANTINOPLE

Panorthodox Synod : DELEGATION FROM THE PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA AT ...:   His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew officiated on Sunday, January 23, 2022, at the Divine Liturgy at the all-sacred Pa...

Update:Patriarch Bartholomew Discharged From Hospital

On 30 December 2021,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was discharged from the American Hospital in Istanbul,Turkey.He had spent a six-day quarantine there following a positive test for COVID-19,having suffered mild symptoms.He will complete his isolation at the patriarchal residence,Therapeia,before presiding at Epiphany services in the Patriarchal Church of St.George at the patriarchal compound in Constantinople,the Phanar. Before he left the private hospital,which was founded by a US Navy officer in 1920,the patriarch receievd his third call from the Turkish Health Minister,Mr.Farhettin Koca,who inquired how the leader of Eastern Orthodoxy was doing,and offered the services of the Ministry of Health to him whenever needed.

Bulletin:Patriarch Bartholomew Tests Positive for Covid

On 24 December 2021,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,81,tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.He was hospitalised in the Constantinople Central Hospital.The patriarch received several well wishes for a speedy recovery from the likes of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis;Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan;His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Albania;and His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kiyiv and All Ukraine.* In consequence of his diagnosis,Patriarch Bartholomew could not serve the Christmas Day Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Church of St.George.Instead,His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon presided at the service.* This blog offers up prayers to the newborn saviour of the world for the health of His All-Holiness,a prelate of international renown,influence and admiration.

Εγκαίνια-Πατριαρχική Θεία Λειτουργία, Ι. Ν. Αγ. Παρασκευής Βαθυρρύακος -...On 19 December 2021,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided at the reopening of the restored Church of St.Paraskevi Vathyrryakos in Constantinople

US Assistant Secretary of State Received at the Ecumenical Patriarchate

On 19 November 2021,the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs,Ms.Karen Donfried,was received at the Ecumenical Patriarchate's compound in Constantinople,the Phanar,according to a Patriarchate press release.She was welcomed with great honour by the Great Chancellor of the Patriarchate,Theodoros,flanked by other clergy of the Patriarchal Court.Accompanying Ms.Donfried were the US Ambassador to Ankara,His Excellency Mr.David Satterfield;the US Consul General Ms.Daria Darnell;and other US diplomats.* In a cordial meeting with His All-Holiness Ecumencial Patriarch Bartholomew,the distinguished guests discussed issues related to the life and ministry of the Mother Church,both in Constantinople and in the world at large,including the situation of the remaining Greeks in Constantinople and of the other Orthodox Christians living in Turkey.Patriarch Bartholomew also mentioned his recent extensive visit to the US,expressing his satisfaction with the warm welcome he received there and the contacts he made,such as with the Mayor-Elect of New York Mr.Eric Adams and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Attending the meeting on behalf of the Patriarchate were His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon,as well as the Great Chancellor Theodoros.Following the meeting,Father Theodoros gave the visitors a tour of the Patriarchal Church of St.George,recounting its history and pointing out the holy relics of the church.

Aya Yorgi Kilisesi, Fener Rum Patrikhanesi (The Patriarchal Church of St...

Patriarch of Antioch Defends Constantinople

In a letter characterised by sincere fraternity and solidarity in Christ,His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East has rushed to the side of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew over the recent decision by the Turkish Council of State and President Recep Tayip Erdogan concerning the ancient Hagia Sofia cathedral.His words, deeply touching at this time of manifold crises throughout the world, including the Christian East, will resound in the hearts of all the Orthodox:
Damascus, July 13,2020
Your All-Holiness and Brother,
It is with much regret that we received the news of the Turkish government's decision to convert the Church of Hagia Sofia to a mosque.
We are dismayed by this decision.We strongly denounce and condemn any act that could counterfeit the historical identity of our homeland.
The recent decision aims at marginalising the Christian presence in the East, not to say that it attempts to eradicate the remaining pioneering role and Christian presence in peaceful coexistence with the rest of the religious groups
... This decision comes to undermine all the efforts deployed by the countries of this East to build states of citizenship that respect religious diversity and promote the positive values of secularisation.Yet, here is a decision that opens the wounds and thus, alas,reinforces extremism and eliminating the other.
We stand by you,dear Brother, joining our prayers for your Holy Church and this wounded East.We support every effort of yours to enhance your presence in your own land, the land of your ancestors, the Church of Constantinople, the new Rome to which we are all bonded by brotherhood and unity of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Greeting your holiness with an embrace in Christ, we convey to you the solidarity of our faithful of the Church of Antioch and All the East, asking the Lord our Saviour to grant you many years of ministry in this holy parish, providing them with the wellsprings of salvation.*

Patriarch Bartholomew Receives North Macedonia Leader

On 13 January 2013,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew received the Acting Prime Minister of North Macedonia,Oliver Spasovski,along with former Prime Minister Zoran Zaev,at the Fanar,the Patriarchal compound in Constantinople.They were seeking the Patriarch's advice on resolving the ecclesiastical problem in North Macedonia,namely,that the country's Orthodox Church,the Archbishopric of Ohrid,is not recognised by the other autocephalous Orthodox Churches.*
In a statement,the Ecumenical Patriarchate said the meeting covered the history of the problem,leading up to the current request for the canonical reinstatement of the Archbishopric of Ohrid,upon appeal to the Mother Church,Constantinople.It was agreed that a delegation from the Church of Serbia be invited to the Ecumenical Patriarchate to meet with a delegation from the Archbishopric of Ohrid for consultation leading to a mutually agreed solution.*
The atmosphere of today's talks was described as having been warm and sincere.The North Macedonia leaders had previously expressed their respect and admiration for the Mother Church.*
Among those attending the meeting from the Ecumenical Patriarchate side were His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of France;His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Silivria;His Eminence Metropolitan Amphilochios of Adrianople;the Very Rev. Archimandrite Joakim,chief secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod;and Archon Mr.Konstantinos Delikostandis,Professor Emeritus of the University of Athens.

Romanian Archbishop Leads Pilgrimage to Constantinople

From 12-21 September 2019, His Eminence Archbishop Ciprian of Buzau and Vrancea led a group of about 30 Romanian pilgrims, including clergy,nuns and laity to Turkey.Among their stops was a visit to Constantinople, where they were received with joy by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his affection and personal ties to the Romanian Orthodox Church and the people of Romania.For his part, Archbishop Ciprian presented the Patriarch with a hand-painted icon of the patron saint of his Archdiocese,St.Sava the Goth of Buzau.*
Archbishop Ciprian also presided the Divine Liturgy of the Exaltation of the Precious and Lifegiving Cross on 14 September at the Church of St.Paraskevi, the Romanian Orthodox church in Constantinople.The pilgrims went on to sites such as the Church of St.Mary at Blachernae: Cappadocia;Konya; and Efesos (Ephesus) in Turkey.*
Buzau is a city of about 115,000 in Buzau County, Southeast Romania, between the Carpathian Mountains and the Baragan Plain.Vrancea County is just north of Buzau.

Ecumenical Patriarch Visits Turkish Mayor,Nursing Home

On 7 August 2019,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the new Mayor of Silivri,Turkey Mr.Volkan Yilmaz.Silivri is a holiday resort of about 76,000 permanent residents in Istanbul Province on the Sea of Marmara.Accompanying the Patriarch on the courtesy call were His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of France;His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Silivri;and Mr.Dimitar Atanasov,advisor and legal counsel to the Great Church of Christ at Constantinople.The talks were held in a cordial atmosphere.*
Later in the day,Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Balikili Charities Nursing Home in Istanbul next to the Balikli Hospital.Both institutions continue to serve the small Greek population of Constantinople.In the Nursing Home's well-appointed Church of the Holy Unmercenaries,HAH served the Small Paraklesis to the Theotokos and a Trisagion,or brief memorial service,for His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Tyroloi and Serantion,who died peacefully today at the Vlatadon Monastery in Thessaloniki,Greece at the age of 90.He had been the longtime igoumenos (abbot) of the Monastery and his successor,His Grace Bishop Nikiforos of Amorion,was at his bedside.Aionia imnimi,Memory eternal.*
Thessaloniki is one of the New Lands of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,but for practical reasons is administered by the Church of Greece.

Inside the Tsipras Visit: Greece, Turkey and Constantinople

The visit of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to Istanbul and environs on 5 February 2019 is still resonating in the media.It has taken on a life of its own, pointing the way to answers of seemingly intractable problems.
His Eminence Metropolitan Elpidoforos of Proussos (Bursa, Turkey),a Turkish citizen many see as a potential successor to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew or  Archbishop Demitrios of America, recently gave an interview to Ethnos about the Tsipras visit to the Halki Theological School on Heybeliada Island,in the Sea of Marmara near Constantinople:
We are all very happy about Mr.Tsipras' historic visit.We lived truly touching moments with the Greek Prime Minister approaching, worshipping at the Halki Theological School, taking part in the Divine Liturgy that was Presided  by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
All of these things happened on a very important day: the feast day of St..Photios the Great, the founder of our monastery.The Prime Minister was shown around the empty classrooms and the library by the Patriarch himself.Together, they planted a tree in the historic garden of the School,in the presence of the representative of the Turkish President,Mr.Erdogan.All these things create,I believe,a psychological and political climate where we can truly begin to speak about a jump forward, walking towards the direction of the reopening of the School.*
The entire atmosphere of the Theological School and his visit, which began with his​ attending the Divine Liturgy, brought the Prime Minister to a state of spirituality.From the moment he lit his candles, you had the feeling that his face shone.*

I believe that we are very close to the phase where Greece and Turkey will be able to surpass these difficulties and tensions.All the prerequisites for this to happen exist.*
I believe that all these "skirmishes" that are pointed out today are precisely the pain of the figuritive childbirth of a peaceful and friendly coexistence between the two nations, which is the prerequisite, the oxygen which the Halki Theological School will breathe and will re-open.I am optimistic.*
Mr.Tsipras planted a tree with the Ecumenical Patriarch and Ibrahim Kalin, President Erdogan's spokesman and National Security Advisor.
Mr.Tsipras said:
The reopening of the School will not be a point or a message of discord or dispute, or differentiation or division; but it will be a message of friendship, mutual understanding and brotherhood between our two peoples.*
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew said:
This is a nest of science and culture.It is inexplicable that a school that was founded and opened in 1844 during the Ottoman period, was closed down during the Republican period, and has been closed for half a century.
The Orthodox Church and, in general, the contemporary world, are in need of theologians and religious leaders without blinders,fundamentalism or intolerance-ministers of dialogue and love.*

Earlier in the day,Mr.Tsipras visited the landmark cathedral of the Byzantine Empire,Hagia Sophia, but declined to make any remarks for the press.

Ukraine Update:Tomos Takes Effect - Ukraine's leading presidential candidate shares her opinion

On 5 January 2018,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,who is 78,signed into effect the Tomos of Autocephaly for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine at a ceremony in Constantinople.Attending the event in the Patriarchal Church of St.George in the Phanar,the Patriarchate's enclave in Istanbul,Turkey,was the first Primate of the new Church,His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kiyiv and All Ukraine,and President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko.
On 6 January,the two Primates will concelebrate the Divine Liturgy in the same church,and afterwards Patriarch Bartholomew will present the scrolled,handwritten and illuminated Tomos manuscript to Metropolitan Epifaniy.The manuscript will then be put on public display in the Small Sofia Church in Kyiv,following the Christmas Divine Liturgy celebrated by Metropolitan Epifaniy,39,at the St.Sofia Cathedral,the large church in the national heritage site,which will be filled with dignitaries attending the service,including intellectual and cultural figures.The general public will be able to pray in the cathedral courtyard in front of a big screen TV.*
The leading presidential candidate in the March election in Ukraine,Yulia Tymoshenko,praised the Tomos in a Facebook post,calling its signing:
a big and bright day in our national history.
The Tomos is a landmark.This is a symbol of the spiritual identity of the nation and a huge inspiration for the unity of Ukraine.May the Lord help us on our way.With faith in Ukraine;with faith in a better future.Onward,Ukraine!*
Ms.Tymoshenko,who was prime minister of Ukraine from 2007-10,currrently has a wide lead over her rivals,including the incumbent Mr.Poroshenko.She supports Ukraine's joining NATO and the European Union.