On Friday, 21 November 2025, the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple, at the celebrating and namesake Church of the Entry of the Theotokos in Stavrodromi, the Divine Liturgy was officiated by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Concelebrating with him were Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Elder Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi, Metropolitan Irenaeus of Myriophyton and Peristasis, Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, Metropolitan Maximos of Sylivria, Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria, Metropolitan Iakovos of Mexico, and the representative of the Patriarchate of Georgia, Metropolitan Dositheos.
In the Holy Sanctuary were also present Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Myra, Metropolitan Theoliptos of Iconium, Metropolitan Stefanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos, Metropolitan Andreas of the Forty Churches, Archpriests’ Supervisor of Stavrodromi, Metropolitan Joachim of Prussa, Bishop Adrianos of Halicarnassus, and Bishop Benjamin of Tralles.
In the parathronio stood the Consul General of Greece, Ambassador Konstantinos Koutras, while the homily was delivered by Fr. Athanasios Gkikas, Professor at the Faculty of Theology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Also in attendance were Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, a delegation of the Catholic Church, alumni of Zografeion Lyceum, the President of the Stavrodromi Community Mr. Georgios Papaliaris with members of the Council, and a large congregation of faithful from the City and abroad.
After the dismissal, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew bestowed the Offikion of Archon Propolestiarios upon the distinguished cardiologist from Kavala, Dr. Savvas Nikiforos.
Following this, the Archpriests’ Supervisor, Metropolitan Andreas of the Forty Churches, welcomed the Ecumenical Patriarch and thanked him for “your unceasing affection, your wholehearted support, and the pastoral guidance which you so abundantly offer.” In another part of his address he underlined: “You endure the difficulties of the times, the demands of your ecumenical ministry, and the challenges of contemporary reality; yet, like an immovable rock of confession, you strengthen and guide the flock of the Church.”
The President of the Stavrodromi Community, Mr. Georgios Papaliaris, in his greeting to the Ecumenical Patriarch, stated that “your presence is for all of us a source of blessing and strength.” He emphasized the moving sight of seeing Romioi from the City and abroad returning to Stavrodromi, the land of their forebears, during these days. He concluded: “The presence of all of you reinforces the spirit of unity and hope, which is the strength of Romiosyne.”
Finally, Mrs. Melissa Finfini Kirits and Mrs. Evrydiki Pingou, members of the Committee, presented in detail the works and initiatives of the Community, speaking about the Cells of the Panagia, the Nane School, the Zografeion Lyceum, the building in Dolapdere, the Melek building, the charitable work carried out by the Community, as well as the support it provides to education and its commitment to sound financial management.
