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
Romanian media reports on SBU searches at UOC dean’s home in Bukovyna
The media also recalled that on February 9, representatives of the OCU attempted to seize two UOC churches.
Romanian delegation visits UOC dean hospitalized in Bukovyna
The Chernivtsi Eparchy referred to the meeting with Father Vasyl Kovalchuk as "negotiations under an IV drip."
Mage and OCU-campaigner Veliar becomes an SBU witness in Kokhanovska case
Viktoria Kokhanovska is preparing to file a complaint requesting the initiation of criminal cases for false testimony and religious intolerance toward UOC believers by the witness.
MinCulture sets up commission to inspect holy relics in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
Details of the commission’s work have been classified.
Media: UOC dean in Bukovyna hospitalized after SBU searches
The priest was scheduled to meet with Romania’s State Secretary for Religious Affairs, Ciprian Olinici.
Serbian abbot: Onuphry is an example of a Christ-conscious man
A clergyman of the Serbian Church believes that the hierarchs of the Orthodox Churches should follow the example of Metropolitan Onuphry.