The Commemoration of Saint Bucolus in Smyrna
The local Church of Smyrna honored the memory of Saint Bucolus (Voukolos), Bishop of Smyrna, who was a disciple and hearer of Saint John the Theologian and Evangelist. Saint John ordained him and appointed him Bishop of Smyrna. For pastoral reasons and following a decision of the Metropolitan, the feast was transferred from its canonical date, 6 February, to Sunday the 8th, so as to give the faithful the opportunity to participate in the commemoration of one of the spiritual patrons of the local Church.
On the afternoon of Saturday, 7 February, the Great Vespers of the Sunday of the Prodigal Son were celebrated, during which the hymns for the memory of Saint Voukolos were also included. An Artoklasia was likewise celebrated for the health of the members of the Orthodox Community of Smyrna, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna.
On the following day, Sunday, 8 February, the day of the feast, the sacred services were presided over—at the invitation of the Metropolitan of Smyrna—by His Eminence Metropolitan Andreas of Forty Churches, who serves as Hierarchical Overseer of the historic Community of Stavrodromi in Constantinople. In his sermon, Metropolitan Andreas referred to the theological meaning of the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, as well as to the spiritual personality of the honoured Saint, and also made mention of his shared ministry with the Metropolitan of Smyrna in the Patriarchal Court.
Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna warmly welcomed Metropolitan Andreas of Forty Churches to historic Smyrna and thanked him for the effort of traveling from Stavrodromi of Constantinople to Ionia in order to participate in the celebration of the Saint’s memory, in response to his invitation. He also referred to their shared ministry as members of the Patriarchal Court and, today, of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Present at the Divine Liturgy were the Consul General of Greece in Smyrna, Mr. Alexandros Konstas, the Archon Quaestor of the Holy Metropolis, Mr. Georgios Theodoridis, the President of the Association for the Support of the Greek Orthodox Community Foundations of Constantinople, Mr. Georgios Papaliaris, members of its Board of Directors, community representatives from Constantinople, and members of the Orthodox Community of Smyrna.
After the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a reception was offered in the hall of the Holy Church, followed by a festive meal hosted by the Greek Orthodox Spiritual and Cultural Association of Smyrna.
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