On the afternoon of Holy Thursday, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Service of the Holy Passion at the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint George in the Phanar.
In accordance with tradition, the Ecumenical Patriarch commenced the reading of the first of the 12 Gospel passages, which was then followed by Metropolitans Athenagoras of Vizi, Meliton of Philadelphia, Eirinaios of Myriophytos and Peristasis, Chrysostomos of Myra, Theoliptos of Ikonio, Ioakeim of Bursa, and Theodoros of Seleucia.
Then, Grand Protosyncellus Gregory, Archimandrite Bosporios, Chief Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, and Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, Director of the Private Patriarchal Office, took part. Lastly, the twelfth gospel was read, according to protocol, by Grand Archdeacon Alexander.
The atmosphere at the Patriarchal Cathedral and throughout the entire Patriarchate was imbued with profound emotion during the procession of the Holy Cross.
A large number of believers from Constantinople and abroad attended the service.
On the morning of Holy Thursday, the Great Protosyncellus led the Vespers and the Divine Liturgy of Basil the Great at the Patriarchal Church, with the assistance of the Secondary Kallinikos.
