Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Service of the Third Stasis of the Salutations to the Theotokos at the Holy Spring (Agiasma) of Panagia of Blachernae in Constantinople on Friday morning, March 21, 2025, as per longstanding tradition.
Bishop Barnabas delivered the homily during the service.
Notable attendees included Metropolitan Athenagoras of Kydonia, Metropolitan Panteleimon of Maroneia and Komotini, Archimandrite Georgios Christodoulou, Archimandrite Bartholomew, Ambassador Konstantinos Koutras, Mr. Roman Nedilskyi, clergy, and faithful from the City and abroad.
Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his joy for chanting the Akathist Hymn at the original Byzantine church complex. He reflected on the grandeur of the church and the current smaller church built in the 19th century.
The Patriarch emphasized the trials of the shrine over the years and the significance of the Holy Spring in offering solace to pilgrims.
He welcomed Metropolitan Panteleimon, the Abbot of Esphigmenou Monastery, and all the faithful present at the service.
Patriarch Bartholomew invited the faithful to return and be part of the sanctity of Blachernae and unite their prayers with their ancestors.
He concluded by invoking the grace and mercy of the Word of God through the intercessions of the Theotokos of Blachernae.
The Patriarch expressed his appreciation to Bishop Adrianos of Halicarnassus and Mr. Nikolaos Kalamaris for their dedicated ministry.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou
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