On Friday, December 27, 2024, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Bulgarian-speaking Orthodox Community of Constantinople in Balat, on the feast day of Saint Stephen the First Martyr and Archdeacon.
The iron church, restored to communion with the Bulgarian nation by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1945, has been under the jurisdiction of the Mother Church of Constantinople since then.
In his homily, the Ecumenical Patriarch emphasized the significance of martyrdom in the life of the Church and announced two important anniversaries to be commemorated in 2025.
He mentioned, “In 2025, the Orthodox Church and world Christianity will celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, a pivotal moment in ecclesiastical history demonstrating the ‘primordial conciliarity’ of the Church.”
Reflecting on the enduring legacy of the First Ecumenical Council, the Ecumenical Patriarch highlighted its relevance for the present and future of the Christian world, promoting conciliarity and unity.
He praised the Orthodox Church for preserving a tradition of faith and philanthropy, fostering community spirit, and embracing cultural diversity while promoting intercultural dialogue and cooperation.
The Ecumenical Patriarch extended a warm welcome to Bishop Tikhon of Tiberioupolis, representing the Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and conveyed greetings to Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria.
He expressed gratitude to Archimandrite Charalambos Nichev and the Community Committee for their dedicated work, acknowledging their contributions to the spiritual life of the Church.
Attendees at the service included the Consuls General of Bulgaria, members of the Bulgarian-speaking Community of Constantinople, and pilgrims from Bulgaria.