Head of Phanar сelebrates old-style Christmas with Russians in Istanbul
Russian women in Istanbul greet Patriarch Bartholomew at the Church of St. Andrew the First-Called. Photo: Phanar's Facebook page
On January 7, 2025, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople officiated the Nativity liturgy for the Russian-speaking community at the Church of St. Andrew the First-Called in Istanbul. The service was streamed live on the official Facebook page of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Parishioners welcomed the head of the Phanar dressed in traditional Russian kokoshniks and presented him with a symbolic loaf of bread. After the service, they also gifted him a handmade crocheted tablecloth.
Patriarch Bartholomew conducts Christmas services according to the Julian calendar for the Russian-speaking community in Istanbul annually. In 2024, parishioners similarly greeted him in traditional Russian attire.
Previously, the UOJ reported that OCU "Metropolitan" Mykhailo Zinkevych stated that those celebrating Christmas on January 7 are not aligned with Ukraine.
Read also
During Ramadan, Patriarch Theodoros hosts Islamic iftar at his residence
Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria hosted a meal for Muslim workers breaking their fast in the courtyard of the Patriarchate and thanked a sheikh for his “brotherhood.”
Lawsuit filed against Patriarch of Constantinople
A Turkish official has accused Patriarch Bartholomew and dozens of clergy of “illegal activity” and violating the Treaty of Lausanne.
OCU cleric buried with Church Slavonic funeral shroud
In the Ternopil Eparchy of the OCU, a cleric was buried under a funeral shroud bearing inscriptions in Church Slavonic.
Abp John about Gospel: "I felt the same joy that I had when I was a child"
The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Albania spoke about how reading the Gospel for the first time became a personal upheaval for him and the beginning of his journey to faith.
Former cleric: In OCU's monastery, cells are occupied by people with families
Former OCU cleric Yasenets said that in the Theodosius Monastery, more than half of the “brethren” are married clerics living in cells with their wives and children.
UGCC head highlights chief rabbi’s role in strengthening Ukrainians’ faith
Sviatoslav Shevchuk thanked Moshe Asman for his “words of truth.”