Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visits the Holy Metropolis of Pisidia for the Feast of Panagia Pisidiotissa
At the invitation of His Eminence Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew travelled by air on Tuesday, 2 September to Alanya, in southern Turkey, in order to preside at the celebrations of the Orthodox Community there, on the occasion of the feast of Panagia Pisidiotissa, which had been established by the late Metropolitan Sotirios of Pisidia.
The Patriarch was welcomed at Gazipaşa Airport by the local Hierarch, accompanied by his Assistant Bishop, His Grace Bishop Ambrosios of Evdokiada, together with clergy of his Eparchy and members of their families.
Subsequently, the Patriarch paid formal visits to the District Governor (Kaymakam) Mr. Şakir Öner Öztürk and the Mayor of Alanya, Mr. Osman Tarık Özçelik, who welcomed His All-Holiness warmly and with honours, and with whom he exchanged gifts.
Afterwards, His All-Holiness went to the celebrating Church of the Mother of God and presided at Vespers, at the conclusion of which he addressed the multinational congregation in both Greek and Turkish. His All-Holiness’s address was translated into Russian by the Patriarchal Deacon Epiphanios.
Immediately afterwards, the local Hierarch, His Eminence Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, offered an official dinner, attended by the District Governor and the Mayor, clergy of the Metropolis (as well as clergy from Greece), members of the Community, and a group of students from the Christian Student Action of the “Ο Σωτήρ” Organisation in Thessaloniki, who had chanted melodiously at Vespers and would do so again at the Divine Liturgy the following day. During the dinner, both the Metropolitan of Pisidia and the Patriarch made toasts.
On Wednesday, His All-Holiness presided at the Divine Liturgy, at the conclusion of which he conducted a Trisagion for the repose of the soul of the founder of the church, the late Metropolitan Sotirios of Pisidia. He then responded to the heartfelt welcome of the local Hierarch, His Eminence Metropolitan Job, and addressed the large congregation.
At midday, the local Hierarch hosted a farewell luncheon in honour of His All-Holiness, who returned to Constantinople in the afternoon.
The Patriarchal entourage consisted of Grand Archimandrite Fr. Iakovos, Third Deacon Fr. Barnabas, and Patriarchal Deacon Fr. Epiphanios.
Photographs: Holy Metropolis of Pisidia
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