The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His All Holiness Bartholomew, on Sunday expressed a hope for a peaceful New Year, during the traditional pastoral address in the Throne Room of the Patriarchal residence in Constantinople.
The New Year’s address came after the Primate of the Mother Church officiated at the con-celebratory Divine Liturgy at the Phanar-district’s St. George Cathedral, in commemoration of the Circumcision of our Lord and the great feast day of Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia.
His All Holiness also refereed to the ministry and initiatives of the Holy and Great Church of Christ.
In his address, the Ecumenical Patriarch said, among others, that the Mother Church “…is concerned over divisions in Christianity, while it is continuing ecumenical dialogue, as decided by the Holy and Great Council of Crete. During inter-faith meetings we also stress the peacemaking role of religions and the need for cooperation by them in the face of the grave, contemporary and world-wide problems.”