On Friday evening, His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met with Her Excellency Evangelia Grammatika, Greece’s Ambassador to Romania. His Holiness visited the Embassy of Greece in Bucharest and prayed at the nearby Greek Church of the Annunciation.
The Ecumenical Patriarch presented the Greek Embassy with several historical volumes dedicated to the Church of Constantinople. In return, Ambassador Evangelia Grammatika offered His Holiness an icon of the Holy Trinity and a copy of “Greek Bucharest”, an album by historian Georgeta Filitti.
Later, His Holiness attended a Paraklesis (Supplicatory Canon) in honour of Saint Demetrius the Myrrh-Gusher at the Greek Church of the Annunciation.
Prayer to Saint Demetrius the Myrrh-Gusher
At the conclusion of the service, the Ecumenical Patriarch spoke about the spiritual strength Saint Demetrius offers to those who seek his intercession.
“Countless pilgrims hasten to the city of his martyrdom, to his magnificent shrine in Thessaloniki, to venerate his holy relics — he who is the most loving among the Martyrs of the Lord — and to ask for his help and intercession before God,” said His Holiness Bartholomew.
“Throughout the Orthodox world, churches are dedicated to Saint Demetrius. Even in Constantinople, the Queen of Cities, five grand churches are raised in his honor. Everywhere, Saint Demetrius shines to the ends of the earth, illuminated by the light that never sets, rejoicing in the eternal brightness — as all the Martyrs of our faith are encompassed by the unfading light of Christ’s glory, according to the Lord’s own words: ‘I am the light of the world.’”
His Holiness also highlighted the example of courage and victory set by the martyrs.
“The deeds of the saints are indestructible and invincible,” he quoted Saint John Chrysostom, one of his predecessors on the See of Constantinople, “and the reason is God Himself, who dwells within their souls.”
Words of Gratitude
Ambassador Evangelia Grammatika thanked His Holiness for his words and for his presence among the Greek community in Romania’s capital.
“The brilliance of your work is a living light, a guiding beacon for all Orthodoxy, a lighthouse for all Orthodox Christians everywhere,” said the Ambassador.
“Your presence among us is not only an occasion of celebration but also a living testimony of unity and communion in faith, love, and Christian service. May this evening remain a moment of light and inspiration for all who seek peace, understanding, and God’s blessing.”
At the end of the meeting, His Holiness offered each attendee a small icon of the Mother of God and a cross pendant as a sign of blessing.
Delegations
His Holiness was accompanied to the Greek Embassy by a delegation from the Romanian Patriarchate, including:
Bishop Siluan of Hungary
Archimandrite Augustin Coman, Patriarchal Counsellor for Christian, Interreligious, and Romanian Communities Abroad Relations
Father Mihai-Constantin Mușat, Patriarchal Secretary at the Protocol Office.
The Constantinopolitan delegation travelling with the Ecumenical Patriarch to Romania includes:
Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon
Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium
Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos
and several clerics, among them Father Sergiu Vlad, parish priest of the Romanian Orthodox community in Istanbul.
Patriarch Bartholomew is in Bucharest for the Consecration of the National Cathedral’s mosaic frescoes, taking place on Sunday, October 26, and will also concelebrate on Monday with Patriarch Daniel at the Feast of Saint Demetrius the New, protector of the Patriarchal Cathedral.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene