{"id":576255,"date":"2026-06-15T11:07:40","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T08:07:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=576255"},"modified":"2026-06-15T11:07:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T08:07:40","slug":"ecumenical-patriarch-bartholomew-name-day-imbros-romania-bulgaria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/ecumenical-patriarch-bartholomew-name-day-imbros-romania-bulgaria\/","title":{"rendered":"Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew celebrates name day on Imbros with Romanian and Bulgarian Patriarchs"},"content":{"rendered":"

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew celebrated his name day<\/a> last Thursday on his native island of Imbros, Turkey, where he concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with Patriarch Daniel of Romania and Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Speaking about his heavenly patron, the Ecumenical Patriarch said that the Apostle Bartholomew \u201cbrought to Christ peoples, nations and different tongues.\u201d<\/p>\n

The service was held at the Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral in Panagia (G\u00f6k\u00e7eada).<\/p>\n

Joining the three patriarchs in the concelebration were Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop (Bulgarian Patriarchate),\u00a0 Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi, and Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki (Ecumenical Patriarchate).<\/p>\n

The delegation accompanying Patriarch Daniel included Archimandrite Andrei Anghel, Patriarchal Vicar; Archdeacon Nicolae Iftimiu, Director of the Basilica News Agency of the Romanian Patriarchate; and Fr Mihai Mu\u0219at, Patriarchal Secretary for Inter-Church, Interreligious and Romanian Communities Abroad Relations.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe Worked in a Manner Pleasing to God\u201d<\/h2>\n

Reflecting on the missionary work of the Apostle Bartholomew following Pentecost, the Ecumenical Patriarch said:<\/p>\n

\u201cHe travelled, like the other apostles, to distant lands and laboured in a manner pleasing to God with the plough of the Gospel, sealing his preaching through martyrdom in the end.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Prayer cards and insignia depicting Saint Bartholomew. Photo: Archim. Andrei Anghel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Patriarch Bartholomew recalled that he received the name Bartholomew when he was ordained a deacon 65 years ago in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Imbros.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom that moment, the Holy Apostle Bartholomew became our heavenly protector.\u201d<\/p>\n

His All-Holiness said he had often felt the saint\u2019s presence during difficult moments in his ministry.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe always pray to him with love and devotion for ourselves and for the Church, and we humbly testify that, during critical moments both for the Church and personally, we have received from him special help and protection.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Deep Love for His Homeland<\/h2>\n

The Ecumenical Patriarch explained why he chose to celebrate his name day on his native island, despite this not being customary for a Patriarch of Constantinople.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeep love for my homeland overcame every hesitation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He also spoke about the hopes of the local community on Imbros, which is experiencing a period of renewal, recalling the reopening of primary and secondary schools for the island\u2019s Greek minority in 2013 and 2016, respectively.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter many difficult years filled with tears, Imbros has been striving in recent years, with God\u2019s help, through the benevolent support of the authorities of the modern Turkish state and the friendly cooperation of the local administration, to move towards a new social and spiritual flourishing.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Bonds Uniting the Three Churches<\/h2>\n
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Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew sided by Patriarch Daniel of Romania and Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria. 11.06.2026. Photo: Basilica.ro \/ Archdn. Nicolae Iftimiu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Ecumenical Patriarch thanked Patriarch Daniel of Romania and Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria for attending the celebrations.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour presence highlights the unbroken bonds of brotherly love in Christ that unite our three Churches.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe thank you from the depths of our hearts for graciously accepting our invitation and coming as bearers of the Lord\u2019s peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

Messages of Congratulations<\/h2>\n

Official messages marking the Ecumenical Patriarch\u2019s anniversary were also delivered during the event.<\/p>\n

Patriarch Daniel\u2019s message<\/a> was presented in Greek by Fr Mihai Mu\u0219at, while the message of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate was delivered by Metropolitan Emmanuel.<\/p>\n

Archbishop Nektarios of Anthedon also conveyed greetings to His All-Holiness.<\/p>\n

The celebrations on Imbros marked<\/a> both the feast of the Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas and the 35th anniversary of Patriarch Bartholomew\u2019s election as Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.<\/p>\n

This year also marks the centenary of the Metropolis of Imbros and Tenedos, and 1,000 years of Orthodox witness on the island of Imbros.<\/p>\n

Patriarch Bartholomew is likewise commemorating 65 years of ordained ministry.<\/p>\n

Photo: Archim. Andrei Anghel
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