Turkish authorities allow Russian priests to celebrate liturgy in Ephesus
Believers of the ROC in Turkey. Photo: mospat.ru
On September 22, the commemoration day of Righteous Joachim and Anna and the remembrance of the Third Ecumenical Council, priests and Orthodox believers of the Russian Orthodox Church celebrated the liturgy in the Turkish city of Ephesus, reports the DECR ROC website.
The liturgy was led by the clergyman responsible for the pastoral care of Moscow Patriarchate believers in the territory of the Turkish Republic, Priest Georgy Sergeyev, concelebrated by Fr Alexiy Golovin, who ministers to the Moscow Patriarchate community in Antalya.
Pilgrims from Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Marmaris, and Kuşadası attended the religious service.
After the liturgy, the clergyman thanked the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey for granting permission to conduct the religious service at the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos, located in the historical city of Ephesus.
Previously, the head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, said that the Russian Orthodox Church cannot deny pastoral care to Orthodox believers in Turkey.
Read also
In Madrid, thousands of people march against abortion and euthanasia
Annual march "Sí a la Vida" ("Yes to Life") took place in Spain.
Rivne Eparchy hosts Orthodox youth congress "Unity Cup"
Orthodox youth of the Dubno region gathered for joint prayer, fellowship and spiritual strengthening.
Vučić on pilgrimage to Belt of Theotokos in Belgrade: I am proud of such Serbia
The President of Serbia noted the atmosphere of peace and reverence for the shrine in the Saint Sava Cathedral.
New church laid on site of burned 17th-century church in Ivashkovytsia
In the Zakarpattia region, the clergy consecrated the foundation of a new church that will replace the 1658 St. Michael Church, which was destroyed in a fire.
UCCRO calls on the West to step up military support for Ukraine
Religious leaders said that active support is the only way to stop aggression and prevent the spread of war around the world.
UOC bishop offers condolences to families of victims killed in Dnipro strike
Metropolitan Irynei called on clergy and laity to offer special prayers for all victims of the attack that took place on the night of June 2.