On the Sunday after Theophany, 11 January, an Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Holy Church of the Twelve Apostles in Feriköy, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Stephanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos, Patriarchal Overseer of the Tatavla District, who also delivered the homily.
Concelebrating together with His Eminence was Archimandrite Fr. Lazaros Theodosiou, Parish Priest of the Feriköy Community, while the service was assisted by Deacon of the Tatavla District, Fr. Panteleimon Kiose. The chanting was rendered with devotion by the chanters Mr. Spyridon Merianos and Mr. Symeon Soltaridis.
Praying together were His Eminence Metropolitan Andreas of Arkalochori, Kastelli and Viannos, Emeritus Professor of the Faculty of Theology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; Mr. Konstantinos Santaltzidis, Archon Exarchos of the Holy Great Church of Christ and President of the Community’s Ecclesiastical Committee, together with members thereof; members of the Philoptochos Society of Feriköy; as well as a considerable number of faithful from the Feriköy Community and other parts of the City of Constantinople.
A special honour for the Community was the presence of parishioner Mrs Chrysovalantou Stampouli, from the Office of the Commercial Attaché of the Greek Consulate General in Constantinople.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the cutting of the Vasilopita was held by His Eminence Metropolitan Stephanos in the beautifully decorated Community Hall, with due solemnity. Prior to the cutting, His Eminence conveyed his heartfelt wishes for the beginning of the New Year, referring in particular to the value of Christian teaching on forgiveness, which Christians are called to extend to every person, as well as to the ever-timely significance of wealth when it is shared. He then warmly welcomed and honourably greeted His Eminence Metropolitan Andreas of Arkalochori, Kastelli and Viannos.
Subsequently, the Vasilopita was cut, after the chanting of the troparion “Εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν”. The first portion was set aside for Saint Basil, and the second for our Patriarch, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, whose blessings and greetings were conveyed to the faithful of the Community. During the cutting of the cake, in accordance with the Constantinopolitan tradition, the megalynarion of Saint Basil, “Τὸν οὐρανοφάντορα τοῦ Χριστοῦ”, was chanted.
This year, the gold coin fell to Mrs Ioulia Kioseglou-Vgenopoulou. The event was richly documented photographically by Mr Apostolos Dovas, theologian, a steadfast supporter of the Community at every significant occasion.
With this festive gathering, the cycle of the Holy Twelve Days of Christmas at the Church of the Holy Apostles of Feriköy came to a close for this year, as at the conclusion the participants exchanged heartfelt wishes for health and longevity granted by God, in the fully packed Community Hall.
