{"id":575839,"date":"2026-06-10T23:09:26","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T20:09:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=575839"},"modified":"2026-06-10T23:10:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T20:10:07","slug":"vespers-ecumenical-patriarchs-native-village-patriarchs-of-romania-bulgaria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/vespers-ecumenical-patriarchs-native-village-patriarchs-of-romania-bulgaria\/","title":{"rendered":"Vespers in the Ecumenical Patriarch\u2019s native village: Patriarchs of Romania and Bulgaria join in Prayer"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Patriarchs of Romania and Bulgaria participated on Wednesday evening in the Vespers service celebrated at the <\/strong>\u201cHoly <\/strong>Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer George\u201d Church in Agioi Theodoroi, the native village of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Patriarch Daniel arrived on the island of Imbros on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, to participate, alongside Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria, in the events marking the name day of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo credit: Archdeacon Nicolae Iftimiu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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 Mu\u0219at, Patriarchal Secretary at the Sector for Inter-Church, Interreligious Relations and Relations with the Romanian Communities from Abroad.<\/p>\n

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria is accompanied by Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop.<\/p>\n

Following the service, the Primates exchanged gifts, while the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Patriarch of Bulgaria delivered addresses.<\/p>\n

Ecumenical Patriarch\u2019s Welcome Address<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The Patriarchs of Romania and Bulgaria attended Vespers in the very church where the Ecumenical Patriarch grew up, in His Holiness\u2019s native village. Photo: Archdeacon Nicolae Iftimiu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cYour 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,\u201d said His Sanctity Bartholomew I.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour 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,\u201d the Ecumenical Patriarch added.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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!\u201d His Sanctity concluded.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Renewal of Communion in Christ<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Patriarchs of Romania and Bulgaria attend the Vespers service for the feast of the Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, celebrated in the presence of the Ecumenical Patriarch at the church in His Holiness\u2019s native village on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Photo credit: Archimandrite Andrei Anghel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, we believe, those virtues which continue to characterise Your Holiness to this day were first cultivated: simplicity, hospitality, sincere love for one\u2019s neighbour, and profound fidelity to the Church\u2019s age-old tradition. This is why you rightly stated in an interview: \u2018I am Imvrian in both soul and body\u2019 (June 27, 2011),\u201d said His Beatitude Daniil.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Vespers at \u201cSt George\u201d Church in Agioi Theodoroi, the native village of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. Photo credit: Archimandrite Andrei Anghel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Patriarch of Bulgaria expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the invitation to participate, together with the Patriarch of Romania, in the Ecumenical Patriarch\u2019s name day celebrations.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur 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 \u2018in the bond of peace\u2019 (Ephesians 4:3),\u201d Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria emphasised.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd 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.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

His Beatitude concluded his message with congratulations and brief prayers for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on this anniversary occasion.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Celebrations Continue<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Icon and relics of Holy Apostle Bartholomew, patron saint of the Ecumenical Patriarch, at the church in His Holiness\u2019s native village of Agioi Theodoroi on the island of Imbros (Turkey). Photo credit: Archdeacon Nicolae Iftimiu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On Thursday, the Ecumenical Patriarch will celebrate<\/a> his name day at the \u201cDormition of the Mother of God\u201d Cathedral in Panagia (G\u00f6k\u00e7eada), the most important city on the island of Imbros.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s celebrations are particularly significant as they mark the 35th anniversary of His Holiness Bartholomew I\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

This year also marks the 65th anniversary of His Holiness Bartholomew I\u2019s ordination.<\/p>\n