Pope Leo to visit Phanar for anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council

Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Leo. Photo: Vatican Press Service

On August 9, 2025, Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the patronal feast of the Russian-speaking community of St. Panteleimon in Istanbul, where he announced the visit of Pope Leo to the Phanar.

“His Holiness Pope Leo, who is also the head of state, will first travel to Ankara to greet the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Mr. Erdoğan, and then come here to join him in visiting Nicaea, where the First Ecumenical Council was held. After that, he will come to our Patriarchate to attend the Divine Liturgy of Saint Andrew the First-Called,” Patriarch Bartholomew said.

He recalled that “we are engaged in theological dialogue with the sister Catholic Church, the aim of which is to achieve the unity of divided Christians.”

The Patriarch extended greetings on the feast of the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon to all Russian-speaking Orthodox Christians of Istanbul, as well as to the Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos headed by Abbot Eulogios.

“We love you, our devout Russian-speaking brothers living here in this city. We love all our Orthodox brothers – Russian-speaking, Georgian-speaking, Romanian-speaking, Ukrainian-speaking – living in various cities of our country. The Ecumenical Patriarchate is the Mother Church, and, like a mother, it embraces all its children, all Orthodox Christians,” Patriarch Bartholomew assured.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Pope announced a trip to Türkiye for the anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council.

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