Orthodox Churches

Ecumenical Patriarch welcomed Archbishop of Cyprus

Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus is at the Ecumenical Patriarchate to meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The visit is part of the invitation of the Ecumenical Patriarch to the Hierarch of Cyprus. The Ecumenical Patriarch had invited the Primate of Cyprus to concelebrate the Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of Orthodoxy.

Father Gervasios, the “Saint of Prisoners,” passed away at the age of 89

Father Gervasios – born George Raptopoulos – also known as the “Saint of Prisoners” passed away early in the morning at the age of 89. People called him “the priest of the poor” or “angel for the sons of the prodigal son.” Since 1987, the Ministry of Prisoners (Diakonia ton Filakismenon) “Penitent Thief Golgotha” has released more than 16,000 prisoners in need, paying their fines and giving more than 5,000,000 euros, money raised from people’s contributions.

The Ecumenical Patriarch welcomed the Archbishop of Cyprus

Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus is at the Ecumenical Patriarchate to meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The visit is part of the invitation of the Ecumenical Patriarch to the Hierarch of Cyprus.

Archbishop Melchizedek conveyed the brotherly wishes of Patriarch Ilia of Georgia to the Ecumenical Patriarch.

“Your All-Holiness, the Phanar always acts as a Mother Church because it is our genuine Mother. It is the Church, which, after so much effort, struggle, and sacrifices, gave birth to all Churches and holds a dominant position amongst the ancient Patriarchates. That is why we are pleased to come to you at every opportunity. The people of Georgia love you.  All Iberia is celebrating with great joy your 80th birthday, is praying for you, and wishing you all the best. Your All-Holiness, may you live a long life! May God bless you with strength, resilience, and persistence to remain the pillar in our Church,” he said.

“Maintain the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace” (Eph 4:3)

The Amman Fraternal Gathering of the Orthodox Primates and Delegates

Following the initiative for dialogue and reconciliation announced by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III in November 2019, the Amman Fraternal Familial Gathering was hosted today in the capital of Jordan, with attendance of Primates and Delegations from various Orthodox churches. The purpose of the gathering was to renew dialogue and promote unity between brothers within the Orthodox Communion.

Catechetical Homily of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the beginning of Holy and Great Lent, 2020

The Ecumenical Patriarchate has published Patriarch Bartholomew’s Catechetical Homily at the opening of Holy and Great Lent (2020).

+ BARTHOLOMEW
BY GOD’S MERCY
ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE – NEW ROME
AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH
TO THE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH,
MAY THE GRACE AND PEACE
OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
TOGETHER WITH OUR PRAYER, BLESSING AND FORGIVENESS
BE WITH YOU ALL

We offer hymns of thanks to the God of love as once again we enter Holy and Great Lent, the arena of ascetic struggle, fasting and abstinence, of vigilance and spiritual awareness, of guarding our senses and prayer, of humility and self-knowledge. We are commencing a new and blessed pilgrimage toward Holy Pascha, which has “opened for us the gates of paradise.”