Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew returned to his hometown of Imbros on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, to celebrate the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos. He presided over the Great Vespers at the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Schinoudi that afternoon.
Addressing the congregation, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his deep joy and emotion at being among his fellow compatriots to honor the Virgin Mary together.
He then spoke about Panagia Soumela, the patron saint of Pontus, mentioning that he has had the honor of performing the Divine Liturgy at her Monastery ten times since 2010.
The Patriarch shared the story of the transfer of the icon of the Virgin Mary and other sacred relics to Greece in 1931 by Fr. Amvrosios Soumeliotis, which had been hidden near the Soumela Monastery by the Monks during the population exchange.
In conclusion, he offered heartfelt wishes for the Virgin Mary to watch over everyone and for peace to prevail in our war-torn world, especially in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Maximos Charakopoulos, a Member of the Greek Parliament and Secretary General of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO), along with several Schinoudiotes and other residents of the island, attended the service.
Later, at noon, the Ecumenical Patriarch was warmly welcomed at the island’s port by Metropolitans Kyrillos of Moschonisia, Chrysostomos of Myra, and Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos, along with Bishop Parthenios of Antania and the Abbot of the Bigorski Monastery. He also greeted members of female brotherhoods, Archons Offikalioi of the Great Church of Christ, and many compatriots, including young children and youth.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou
