Theophany celebrated in Phanar churches on January 19
Water blessing on January 19 in Antalya by the clergy of Phanar. Photo: screenshot from Phanar's YouTube channel
On January 19, 2025, Theophany services were held in the churches of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The Phanar's Facebook page shared a video of the service led by Metropolitan Theoliptos of Iconium in the Church of St. Basil in Triglia (modern-day Zeytinbağı, Turkey). After the service, clergy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate blessed the waters of the Sea of Marmara with the traditional throwing of the cross into the water.
In the Istanbul Church of St. Andrew (Galata district), the liturgy was led by Metropolitan Theodoros of Seleucia. In his sermon, he conveyed "the wishes and paternal blessing of Patriarch Bartholomew" and spoke to the parishioners about the meaning of the feast.
On the same day, Metropolitan Job (Getcha) of Pisidia presided over the liturgy in the Church of St. Alypius the Stylite in Antalya, Turkey. After the service, the clergy and faithful held a procession to the waterfront, where the water blessing took place.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the head of the Volyn Regional Military Administration, Yurii Pohuliak, expressed the opinion that those celebrating according to the Julian calendar "should disappear like that Russia".
Read also
Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk marks 30 years as abbot of the Lavra
Today, Metropolitan Arseniy continues his ministry despite being imprisoned in a pre-trial detention center, akin to the holy confessors of the past.
25 MPs urge Klitschko to rename Lavrska Street in honor of Mazepa
Viatrovych claims that the renaming is necessary because Lavrska Street was named at the initiative of former President Yanukovych and the ROC Primate.
Scandal in Cyprus: Schools replace "Father" and "Mother" with "Parent 1 and Parent 2"
In electronic forms, Cypriots were identified as a religious minority.
DESS: The UOC threatens Ukraine's national security
DESS once again praised the recently enacted anti-church law, which officials claim is "not aimed against religion but serves the interests of the state."
Met Luke speaks on how to respond to destruction of Zaporizhzhia cathedral
The ruling bishop of the Zaporizhzhia Eparchy called for repentance.
Pope in his book: RCC welcomes everyone, including gays and trans people
In his autobiography, the Pontiff dedicates several pages to describing his interactions with LGBT individuals.