On Saturday, 18 October 2025, the proceedings of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate were concluded.
The following is the official communiqué:
“The Holy and Sacred Synod on 18 October 2025, continued its work under the presidency of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, having completed the review of the matters listed on the agenda, upon which the appropriate decisions were taken.
The Holy Body unanimously decided, following a request from His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania, to include in the Church’s calendar of saints the venerable Hieromonk Niphon Ionescu of the Skete of St. John the Forerunner (1799–1899) and Monk Nektarios Cretu (Protopsaltis) (1804–1899), who both lived an ascetic and holy life on Mount Athos.
Also, on the previous day, the Lesser and the Greater Messages were performed for His Grace Bishop-elect Antonios of Rodostolos.”
Photographs: Nikos Papachristou