The Patriarchs of Romania and Bulgaria participated on Wednesday evening in the Vespers service celebrated at the “Holy Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer George” Church in Agioi Theodoroi, the native village of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.
In the presence of Patriarch Daniel of Romania and Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria, litanies were offered during the service in Greek, Romanian, and Bulgarian. The two Primates travelled especially to the island of Imbros (Turkey) to join Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who will celebrate his name day on Thursday in his homeland.
Also attending the Vespers service were Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos, Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki, as well as other hierarchs and clergy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Members of the delegation accompanying His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel to the anniversary events include Archimandrite Andrei Anghel, Patriarchal Vicar; Archdeacon Nicolae Iftimiu, Coordinating Patriarchal Counsellor and Director of the Basilica News Agency of the Romanian Patriarchate; and Fr Mihai Mușat, Patriarchal Secretary at the Sector for Inter-Church, Interreligious Relations and Relations with the Romanian Communities from Abroad.
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria is accompanied by Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop.
Following the service, the Primates exchanged gifts, while the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Patriarch of Bulgaria delivered addresses.
Ecumenical Patriarch’s Welcome Address
“Your Beatitudes and dear Brother Patriarchs, You have left Your Thrones and Your many demanding primatial responsibilities and have come, for our sake, to a small but historic island, where our common Christian faith has deep roots,” said His Sanctity Bartholomew I.
“Its inhabitants, our countrymen and women, are simple, pious, and hospitable people. During the last decades of the twentieth century, they suffered greatly and dwindled in number. Yet they managed to preserve their faith and traditions, their manners and customs, and to prove themselves worthy of their blessed forebears.”
“Your presence here, Most Blessed Brothers, is a unique encouragement and grace for them and for our whole island, which will long remember that two venerable Orthodox Primates, alongside the Imbrian Patriarch Bartholomew, came, kept the feast, bestowed their benediction, and gave them courage, honour, hope, and optimism, strengthening their faith and uplifting their morale,” the Ecumenical Patriarch added.
“We rejoice to welcome You to the place of our birth and to the church where we received the mystery of baptism, served as an acolyte under the ever-memorable Father Asterios, received the monastic tonsure sixty-five years ago, and from which we have many times conveyed the blessing and affection of the Mother Church of Constantinople to our dear compatriots, sharing in their joys and sorrows. Glory to Holy God for all things!” His Sanctity concluded.
Renewal of Communion in Christ
Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria recalled that it was in the same church in Agioi Theodoroi that the current Ecumenical Patriarch received the Holy Baptism, the monastic tonsure, and the monastic name of Bartholomew.
“Here, we believe, those virtues which continue to characterise Your Holiness to this day were first cultivated: simplicity, hospitality, sincere love for one’s neighbour, and profound fidelity to the Church’s age-old tradition. This is why you rightly stated in an interview: ‘I am Imvrian in both soul and body’ (June 27, 2011),” said His Beatitude Daniil.
“And indeed, this confession is not merely a recollection of your Imvrian origins, but an expression of a profound spiritual bond with the place, the people, and the tradition that shaped the first steps of your life.”
The Patriarch of Bulgaria expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the invitation to participate, together with the Patriarch of Romania, in the Ecumenical Patriarch’s name day celebrations.
“Our presence here is not merely an expression of respect for Your Holiness. Above all, it bears witness to the unity of Orthodoxy, the fraternal communion of the Holy Churches of God, and our common journey ‘in the bond of peace’ (Ephesians 4:3),” Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria emphasised.
“And tomorrow, as we gather around the same Chalice of the Holy Eucharist, we shall glorify the Triune God, celebrating the radiant commemoration of Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, while at the same time renewing the bonds of this communion in Christ and the common witness of our Churches in the contemporary world.”
His Beatitude concluded his message with congratulations and brief prayers for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on this anniversary occasion.
At the end of the event, Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos, host of the celebrations, expressed his joy and gratitude for the presence of the three Patriarchs and noted that the day was a historic one for the Metropolis under his pastoral care.
Celebrations Continue
On Thursday, the Ecumenical Patriarch will celebrate his name day at the “Dormition of the Mother of God” Cathedral in Panagia (Gökçeada), the most important city on the island of Imbros.
At the Divine Liturgy celebrated on the feast of Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Patriarch Daniel of Romania, and Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria will concelebrate.
This year’s celebrations are particularly significant as they mark the 35th anniversary of His Holiness Bartholomew I’s election as Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, the centenary of the establishment of the Metropolis of Imbros and Tenedos, and one thousand years of Orthodox Christian witness on the island of Imbros.
This year also marks the 65th anniversary of His Holiness Bartholomew I’s ordination.
Photo credit: Archimandrite Andrei Anghel (featured image)
