In an atmosphere of profound emotion and deep respect for His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, an honorary dinner was held on October 21 to commemorate the completion of thirty-five years of his Patriarchal ministry.
The event was honored by the presence of Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne, Greece’s Minister of Culture, Ms. Lina Mendoni, representatives of diplomatic missions, including the Ambassadors of the United States and Greece to Türkiye, Archons of the Holy Great Church of Christ from the United States, Greece, and other countries, journalists, and representatives of Istanbul’s minority communities. The Greek Orthodox community was also widely represented by numerous elected members of the boards of our charitable institutions, educators, academics, and friends of the Greek Orthodox heritage.
Addressing His All-Holiness, His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon emphasized that the heart of the Greek Orthodox communities of Istanbul, Imbros, and Tenedos recognizes in Patriarch Bartholomew "the loving father of our Communities, schools, and charitable institutions."
His All-Holiness’s Patriarchate, the Metropolitan remarked, "resembles an ever-burning vigil lamp." He added that, although the winds of history have blown fiercely, at the very heart of Orthodoxy, "the flame of the lamp has remained upright, serene, and unwaning, nourished by the pure oil of faith, prayer, and the unceasing vigilance of our Patriarch."
Metropolitan Emmanuel further noted that, thanks to the guidance of our Ecumenical Patriarch, the Eparchies of the Ecumenical Throne in Europe, America, Australia, and Asia "have flourished, expanded their parishes and institutions, and become radiant centers bearing witness to the Orthodox faith amid the contemporary multicultural world."
The floor was then taken by the President of SY.R.K.I., Mr. Georgios Papaliaris, who expressed "the profound gratitude of the entire Greek Orthodox community for the invaluable contribution of His All-Holiness to Orthodoxy, to the Greek Orthodox heritage, to our Communities and institutions, to education and our schools, as well as to his beloved homeland, Imbros."
Thirty-five years of uninterrupted ministry, responsibility, and dedication by our Patriarch to the Orthodox world and beyond. Thirty-five years of his steadfast presence alongside our Communities, our charitable work, and our people.
Many Years, Your All-Holiness!
