Great Vespers on the eve of the Annunciation was presided over by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Church of Panagia Evangelistria in the Tataoula District of Constantinople.
Hieromonk Ieronymos Sotirelis delivered the Divine Word.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the Patriarch conducted a Trisagion service for the late teachers and graduates of the Urban School of Galata.
In his speech, the Patriarch expressed his joy at officiating the Vespers after a two-year absence due to renovation works supervised by Athanasios Martinos, the Archon Exarch of the Great Church of Christ, and his wife Marina.
The Patriarch highlighted the significance of the Annunciation feast and praised the musical performance by the Choir of the Association of Music Friends of Pera, led by Panagiotis Neochoritis.
He emphasized the importance of spreading the message of Christ’s incarnation for peace and love in the world.
The Patriarch encouraged the celebration of the Holy Cross and the Annunciation with devotion to God.
He extended festive wishes to the pilgrims of the Annunciation and thanked Metropolitan Stefanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos for his dedicated service.
The Patriarch also commended Filotheos Kelepouris and the Community Committee for their excellent work.
He welcomed the alumni of the Urban School of Galata and a group of teachers and students from the American College of Greece.
The Patriarch encouraged the pilgrims to appreciate the unseen history of Byzantium and to have a beneficial and constructive visit.
He expressed his joy at having everyone gathered at the House of the Evangelistria this evening.
The Ecumenical Patriarch received a warm welcome from Metropolitan Stefanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos, as well as from the President of the Community’s Ephorate Committee, Prodromos Kosmaoglou. The service was attended by Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Myra, the Ambassador of Greece to Turkey, Konstantinos Koutras, the Consul General of Greece in Constantinople, Archons of the Ecumenical Throne, and a multitude of faithful. May you first receive her grace, and then our paternal blessing, along with the wish that you may spend the remainder of Holy and Great Lent in health and reverence, and celebrate a joyful and blessed Holy Easter!Photos: Nikos Papachristou
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