His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Vatopaidi Metochion of Saint Andrew in Galata on Saturday, 13 December, the day on which, according to the Julian calendar, the memory of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called is celebrated, and on which the Russian-speaking community of Constantinople holds its feast.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His All-Holiness tonsured five young members of the Community as Readers.
In his homily, the Patriarch referred to the recent visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV of Rome to the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as well as to their joint pilgrimage to Nicaea in Bithynia, on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council held there in 325.
He also expressed his joy at celebrating once again together with the members of the Russian-speaking community of Constantinople, the feast of the Apostle Andrew, the First-Called disciple of the Lord, Founder of the Church of Constantinople and Patron of the celebrating Metochion.
The Patriarch congratulated the active Proistamenos of the Community, Grand Preacher Panaretos, as well as his concelebrants, Archimandrite Viktor Kopuşçu and Father Bartholomew, together with all members of the community, for the work being accomplished. He further expressed the Patriarchal commendation for the restoration works on the icons, carried out under the care of the Holy Monastery of VatopeTdi, as well as for Archon Grand Chartophylax Panteleimon Vigkas for the attention he shows to the needs of the Metochion.
Earlier, Father Panaretos had addressed His All-Holiness, thanking the Ecumenical Patriarch and all who support the ministry of the Russian-speaking parish of Saint Andrew.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Grand Archimandrite Iakovos together with the Third Patriarchal Deacon, Fr Epiphanios, in Church Slavonic, and the parish choir chanted. Among those present were the Consul General of Moldova, Mr Sergiu Gurduza, clergy, and a large number of faithful.
Photographs: Nikos Papachristou
