Престольный праздник Святых Апостолов Петра и Павла в Сиде. Пресвитерска...Feast of the Holy Apostles Sts.Peter and Paul (old calendar) and ordination of Deacon Grigori to the Holy Priesthood

The Holy Metropolis of Pisidia corresponds to Antalya Province,Turkey.These are Russian speakers within the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Пятидесятница / Pentecost - YouTube

His Eminence Metropolitan Job of Pisidia (Antalya Province,Turkey) has a Russian speaking flock within the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Вознесение Господне / Ascension of the Lord

Pisidia is known today as Antalya Province,Turkey.

Bulletin:Pope and Ecumenical Patriarch Will Meet to Celebrate 1700th Anniversary of Historic Council of Nicea

His Holiness Pope Francis plans to visit the Patriarchate of Constantinople and Nicea (Iznik,Turkey) and join with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for this historic celebration,according to EWTN Catholic news agency.The Council of Nicea,the First Ecumenical Council,held in 325,is a symbol of Christian unity,establishing the Nicene Creed and the date of Easter.In 2025,the date of Easter will be the same in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars,making this a perfect occasion for a shared ecumenical celebration.An organizing committee,made up of both Catholics and Orthodox,will soon meet in Istanbul to plan the event.

Prime Minister of Montenegro Visits Ecumenical Patriarchate

On 27 October 2023,His Excellency Dritan Abazovic,Prime Minister of Montenegro,visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate.In the absence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,who was visiting his beloved native island of Imvros,Turkey,where he likes to recover after a busy travel schedule,the Prime Minister was recieved by His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria and other members of the Patriarchal Court.Metropolitan Maximos informed Mr.Abazovic about the initiatives and ministry of the Holy Great Church of Christ in Constantinople.He also distributed commemorative gifts among the Prime Minister and his entourage.As well,His Excellency got a tour of the Patriarchal Church of St.George and its relics,the Patriarchate said in a news release.*Montenegro has a population of 624,484 as of 2023.It was a former Yugoslav republic.The country declared its independence in 2006 and joined NATO in 2017.Most Montenegrins self-identify as Montenegrins,having a strong sense of national identity.They speak a unique Serbo-Croatian dialect called Montenegrin.* The predominant religion of Montenegro is Eastern Orthodoxy (88.7%)-predominantly Serbian Orthodoxy in the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral-with minorities of Muslims,Catholics and Atheists/Agnostics as well.* Montenegro's European Union status is Screened Negotiating Candidacy with possible entry by 2025,providing all outstanding issues are resolved.

Πατριαρχική Παράκληση, Κουμαριώτισσα - Νιχώρι Βοσπόρου, 10.9.23

Bulletin:President Zelensky Visits Ecumenical Patriarchate

On 8 July 2023,Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the Phanar,the Patriarchal compound in Constantinople (Istanbul,Turkey).President Zelensky was in Turkey for a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.On his way back to Ukraine,he stopped at the Patriarchate where he posed for a photo with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholmew,who conducted a memorial service for Ukraine's war dead in the Patriarchal Church of St.George,which President Zelensky attended.He wore his customary olive drab t-shirt.

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

Metropolitan Georgios of Paphos Elected Next Archbishop of Cyprus - revised

Following the passing of Archbishop Chrysostomos II,His Eminence Metropolitan Georgios of Paphos,73,was elected the new Archbishop of New Justiniana and All Cyprus,successor to the holy apostle St.Barnabas,on 24 December 2022 by the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus in the chapel of St.Barnabas at the archdiocesan headquarters in Nicosia,afterwords gathering for the official announcement ceremony at the Katholikon of St.John in Nicosia,capital of Cyprus.Representing the government of Cyprus was Mr.Prodromos Prodromou,Minister of Education.Metropolitan Georgios got 11 votes,while Metropolitan Athanasios of Limmasol got four votes.All members of the Holy Synod then endorsed his election.* Metropolitan Georgios was born in Athienou,Cyprus on 25 May 1949.He graduated from the Pancyprian Gymnasium in 1967.From 1968-1972,he studied Chemistry in the University of Athens,Greece.This was followed by Theology studies there from 1976-1980.He did further study in these two subjects in England,and taught Chemistry in secondary schools.Metropolitan Georgios was ordained to the diaconate on 23 December 1984,and was subsequently ordained presbyter and named an archimandrite by His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos I on 17 March 1985. Paphos Georgios was arrested and abused by Turkish troops during an anti-occupation protest event in 1989.He filed an Appeal against Turkey in the Council of Europe Human Rights Commission.The Council condemned Turkey for violating Paphos Georgios' human rights and imposed a fine on Turkey.* On 24 April 1996,Paphos Georgios was elected Bishop of Arsinoe and ordained to the episcopacy on 26 May 1996.On 26 December 2006, His Eminence was elected Metropolitan of Paphos.* Paphos Georgios has represented the Church of Cyprus in the ecumenical dialogues with the Lutheran and Reformed churches.He is president of the Holy Synod Committee on Bioethics and Education.

Υποδοχή Τιμίας Κάρας Αγίας Ελένης εκ Σινώπης | Ναός Αγ. Παντελεήμονος |

Archieratical Vespers of the Honorable Relic of Virgin Martyr St.Eleni of Sinope in Pontos,Turkey - Church of St.Panteleimon,Polichni Thessaloniki,Greece - His Eminence Metropolitan Varnavas of Neapolis and Stavropoleos

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.

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.*

Πατριαρχική Θεία Λειτουργία στον Άγιο Χαράλαμπο του Τσεσμέ 2020 - Patriarchal Divine Liturgy of St.Charalambos - 9 February 2020 - Cesme,Turkey (Tseme,Asia Minor)

Old Greek Church in Asia Minor to Hold Service

On 9 February 2020,the eighteenth century basilica-style Cathedral of St.Charalambos will celebrate the eve of its patronal feast day with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presiding.Located in the city of Cesme,Turkey,which was once known as Tseme,Asia Minor,in the Holy Metropolis of Krini,the cathedral had been blown up by the Turkish army in 1821,but was restored and reopened in 2016.Patriarch Bartholomew has previously served two Divine Liturgies there.*
Cesme,which is visible from the Greek island of Chios,was once home to as many as 10,000 Greeks,and their descendants still regard it with affection.Many of them,including several from Chios,attended the previous services in their ancestral hometown.The most ancient name of the city was Erythres.*
The Metropolis of Krini was home to about 60,000 Orthodox Christians.Besides St.Charalambos,there were four other Greek churches in Tseme and 34 rustic chapels in its outskirts.*
The Turkish community of Cesme also holds its own cultural events in the restored cathedral.*

23 June 2019,ruins of the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos,Avanos,Turkey:Metropolitan Tikhon of OCA concelebrated with the Ecumenical Patriarch i...

Ecumenical Patriarch Leads Halki Summit III Eco-Conference - scholars from several Orthodox Churches attend

Hia All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is hosting the third Halki Summit,which is being held at an international hotel in Istanbul,Turkey.The series of environmental conferences is named for the Halki School of Theology on Heybeliada Island,Turkey,where Halki I was held.*
Halki Summit III is an inter-Orthodox working conference.Prominent environmental theologians from Orthodox,Roman Catholic and Protestant institutions will discuss ways that ecological awareness can be fostered and advanced in Orthodox institutions around the world by means of courses and other programs related to creation care,the Ecumenical Patriarchate said in a press release.*
Halki Summit III runs from 31 May to 4 June 2019.Its theme is "Theological Formation and Ecological Awareness."Around 50 delegates from 40 institutions will participate.The keynote speakers are His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and His Eminence Elder Metropolitan John of Pergamon (Ecumenical Patriarchate).Among the other participants are:
His Grace Bishop Ignatije of Branicevo (Serbian Orthodox Church);Dr.Eleni Antonopoulou,Aristotle University of Thessaloniki;Dr.Celia Deane-Drummond,University of Notre Dame;Very Reverend Andriy Dudchenko,Kiyiv Orthodox Theological Academy (Orthodox Church of Ukraine);Dr.Michael Evans,Southern New Hampshire University;Nathan Hoppe,Resurrection of Christ Theological Academy (Orthodox Church of Albania);Reverend Deacon Irakli Jinjolava,Tbilisi Theological Academy (Orthodox Church of Georgia);Bogdan Nacsiu,Orthodox Archdiocese of Timisoara (Orthodox Church of Romania);Nikolaos Papachristou,journalist;Dr.Svet Ribolov,Sofia University (St.Kliment Ohridshi);Reverend Dr. Kyprianos Kountouris,Theological School of the Church of Cyprus;and several others.*
Halki Summit III is co-sponsored by St.Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Orthodox Church in America);Holy Cross Orthodox School of Theology (Ecumenical Patriarchate);and Archon Peter Vlitas.

Bulletin:Ecumenical Patriarchate Elects New Archbishops - Revised

The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has filled two vacancies at the Archbishop (Primate) level:
His Grace the Right Reverend Makarios,Bishop of Christoupolis,a scholar in the field of bioethics with several advanced degrees,has been elected Archbishop of Australia.He is a native of Heraklion,Crete.He has a Master's degree in Bioethics from Monash University,Australia;a Master's in the History of Science from Harvard University and an STM (Master of Sacred Theology) from Boston University.
His Eminence the Most Reverend Elpidoforos,Metropolitan of Proussa (Bursa,Turkey) and Igoumenos (Abbot) of Holy Trinity Monastery,Halki,has been elected Archbishop of America.Born in Constantionople (Istanbul),he is fluent in English and represents the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the World Council of Churches and the European Council of Churches.Metropolitan Elpidoforos is about 52.

Patriarch Bartholomew Visits Bulgarian Community in Turkey

On 5 April 2019,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Bulgarian community in Adrianopoulos,which is today known as Edirne,Turkey.He was warmly received by His Eminence Metropolitan Kiprian of Staras-Zagoras (Patriarchate of Bulgaria) at the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of Sts.Constantine and Helen.Patriarch Bartholomew attended the fourth stasis of the Salutations to the Theotokos (Akathistos hymn) presided by Metropolitan Kiprian.*
Also attending were His Grace Bishop Kirillos of Abydos;the consuls general of Greece and Bulgaria to Edirne,Sotiria Theokaridis and Vassil Valchev;and many faithful and pilgrims from Turkey,Greece and Bulgaria.In his address,Patriarch Bartholomew spoke of the fondness for the Patriarchate of Bulgaria felt by its Mother Church,the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.He also recalled having visited Adrianopoulos on a previous occasion,but at a different church in the city.*
Patriarch Bartholomew has been invited to visit Serbia in the autumn by His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia.

Greek Prime Minister Visits Turkey,Meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew and President Erdogan

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has made an official visit to Turkey,showing support for the Ecumenical Patriarchate while keeping the Greek-Turkish dialogue alive.On 6 February 2019,Mr.Tsipras attended a Divine Liturgy with His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople at Holy Trinity Monastery on Heybeliada Island,Turkey.The monastery grounds contain the shuttered Halki Theological School,which the Turkish authorities closed in the 1970s.Later in the day,Mr.Tsipras called for the reopening of the School,which,he said:
would be evidence of friendship,mutual understanding and brotherhood.
Religious faith should bring people together,not divide them.*
The School was founded in 1844.Its alumni include several luminaries,among them being the late Patriarch of Constantinople Athenagoras,as well as Patriarch Bartholomew.*
Prime Minister Tsipras was the first Greek premier to visit the School in more than 90 years.Later on Wednesday,he visited what many consider to have been the greatest church of the Byzantine era,Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.*
On Tuesday 5 February,Mr.Tsipras met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Turkish capital Ankara,seeking to bolster relations between the two neighbours.Positive results of the talks included keeping the lines of communication open;arranging a meeting between the Greek and Turkish ministers of defence;and establishing a Greek/Turkish business forum in Thessaloniki,Greece.
President Erdogan said all issues between the two NATO Allies could be solved:
on an equitable basis and in a peaceful way.*
Mr.Erdogan linked the Halki Theological School reopening to the issue of the treatment of Turks living in Western Thrace,Greece,including their right to elect their own muftis.A set of talks should be held to resolve both issues.

Greek Orthodox in Turkey:Asia Minor Revival Continues

On 19 January 2019,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople celebrated the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy,Blessing of the Waters and Diving for the Cross on Old Calendar Epiphany at Triglia (Tirilye,Turkey) in Proussos (Bursa Province),Asia Minor.It was the first ever Patriarchal service in Triglia and the first Diving for the Cross held there since 1922.The liturgy was held in the restored Church of St.Basil,part of the community centre in Triglia.
Concelebrating the historic day were His Eminence Metropolitan Elpidoforos of Bursa and His Grace Bishop Adrianos of Alikarnassos,Crete.*
In addition to the hierarchs,several diplomats from Greece,Ukraine and Bulgaria attended the services,as well as archons,clerics and monks from the Great Church of Christ in Constantinople;representatives of the Municipality of Rufina (Attica,Greece);presidents and members of the Triglia heritage associations;plus Orthodox Christians from Istanbul and elsewhere in Bursa.
The Prefecture of Bursa granted a permit for the observances.Mayor Hayri Turkyilmaz of Mudanya and other local officials attended the Diving for the Cross.A local marching band processed to the Triglia town square for the Blessing of the Waters/Diving for the Cross at the Sea of Marmara.Young people from the greater Triglia area and Ukraine dove for the cross.*
Metropolitan Elpidoforos pointed out that:
In this action and in this spirit of the Patriarch,we owe,among other things,the climate of confidence that has been established so that it is possible to revive,step by step,the sacred Metropolises that had been deserted after the population exchanges of 1923.*
The Orthodox Church of Crete is part of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.