Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew led the service of the Supplicatory Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos at the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, ‘Exi Marmara’, on Sunday afternoon, 11 August.
Also in attendance were Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionia and Philadelphia and Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria, along with clergy and faithful believers.
Following the Supplicatory Canon, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his emotions as he prayed with the faithful at the Church of ‘Exi Marmara’, a church dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos that was destroyed during the tragic events of September 6th to 7th, 1955. He introduced Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionia, who addressed the congregation.
Metropolitan Gabriel spoke about the feast day of the Dormition of the Theotokos and the special love for the Virgin Mary. He also expressed respect for the Ecumenical Patriarch and invited him to visit the refugee ecclesiastical province that marks its 50th anniversary this year.
Earlier that day, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew attended the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George at the Phanar, officiated by Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionia.
Photographs by Nikos Papachristou:
