As part of the visit to Istanbul by a delegation representing Holy Metropolises of the Church of Greece, focusing on pilgrimage tours and religious tourism, a Small Vespers service and a special welcoming event were held today, Thursday, 10 September 2026, at 18:00, at the Holy Church of the Holy Trinity of Stavrodromi in Taksim.

The delegation, which included Hierarchs and representatives of Holy Metropolises of the Church of Greece, was welcomed by His Eminence Metropolitan Andreas of Saranta Ekklisies, the supervising Hierarch of the Community.

The event was also attended by Deputy Minister of Tourism Anna Karamanli, responsible for matters relating to religious and pilgrimage tourism, and Angeliki Varela, President of the Greek National Tourism Organisation.

Following Vespers, presentations were delivered on pilgrimage tours and the significance of religious tourism.

The Community then hosted a reception for the distinguished guests on its premises, providing an opportunity for dialogue and an exchange of views on the promotion of historic pilgrimage sites and the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Greek Orthodox community of Istanbul.

Our Community had the particular joy and honour of hosting this event at the historic Holy Church of the Holy Trinity and of welcoming the distinguished visitors to the heart of the Greek Orthodox community of Stavrodromi.