Representatives of the Slavic Vicariate Congratulate His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the 35th Anniversary of His Election to the See of Constantinople

In the second half of October, clergy and faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America made a pilgrimage to Constantinople.

At the invitation and with the blessing of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate of America was represented on the pilgrimage by its Vicar, Bishop-elect Alexander of Nicopolis, and its Director of Public Relations, Archon Ivan Belya.

On October 21, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew received the pilgrims from America at his residence at the Phanar. During the meeting, representatives of the Slavic Vicariate congratulated His All-Holiness on the 35th anniversary of his election to the See of Constantinople. Bishop-elect Alexander of Nicopolis and Archon Ivan Belya presented the Patriarch with a mother-of-pearl icon of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle, the heavenly patron and founder of the Church of Constantinople.

The choice of this gift carried profound symbolic significance. According to Church tradition, the Apostle Andrew is associated with the preaching of the Gospel in lands where Christianity later spread among the Slavic peoples. For this reason, he holds a special place of veneration in the Slavic Orthodox tradition. Upon receiving the icon, His All-Holiness thanked the pilgrims for the beautiful gift and bestowed his patriarchal blessing upon them.

On October 22, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Church of St. George at the Phanar, marking the 35th anniversary of his election to the Ecumenical Throne. Ten hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate concelebrated with His All-Holiness, including Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. Also present in prayer were other hierarchs, clergy, monastics, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, members of the diplomatic corps, and numerous pilgrims.

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is the 270th Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch. On October 22, 1991, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate unanimously elected Metropolitan Bartholomew of Chalcedon to the See of Constantinople, succeeding Patriarch Demetrios (Papadopoulos). His enthronement took place on November 2, 1991, at the Patriarchal Church of St. George the Great Martyr at the Phanar.

The 35 years of His All-Holiness’s patriarchal ministry represent one of the longest patriarchal tenures in the history of the See of Constantinople and other Patriarchal Sees, marking a significant era in the modern history of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Throughout these years, Patriarch Bartholomew has borne witness to the Orthodox faith and the unity of the Church, fostered dialogue and peace, and consistently emphasized the Christian responsibility to uphold human dignity and preserve God’s creation.

May the All-Good Lord strengthen His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in his continued ministry to the Holy Church, granting him good health, spiritual strength, peace, and many blessed years.

We express our sincere gratitude to Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, who led the pilgrimage group from America and accompanied the pilgrims throughout their journey, for making it possible to venerate the holy sites of Constantinople and take part in this memorable celebration.