Pope to pay an official visit to Phanar
Pope Leo and Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: cathnewsnz.com
The Ecumenical Patriarchate published an official announcement, according to which Pope Leo XIV will make an official visit to the Phanar and meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
The Pope is expected to arrive in Istanbul on Saturday, November 29, ahead of the patronal feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate – the Day of Saint Andrew the First-Called.
From the entrance of the Patriarchal compound, the Pope and the Patriarch will proceed together to the Most Venerable Patriarchal Church, where a Service of Doxology will be celebrated in the presence of His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa, Hierarchy of the Church of Rome and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Türkiye, and other dignitaries.
The service will be attended by Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria, hierarchs of the Roman Catholic Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, diplomats, and other officials.
Concluding the Doxology, the signing of the Joint Declaration by the two Primates will take place in the Throne Room, followed by presentations of hierarchs from the two Churches, and a private mitting between the Pope and the Patriarch in the Patriarchal Office.
Following these proceedings, His Beatitude Patriarch Theodore will preside over the Festive Great Vespers, and on Sunday, November 30th, His All-Holiness will preside at the Patriarchal and Synodal Divine Liturgy, in concelebration with His Beatitude.
At this service, His Holiness Pope Leo will be present with His entourage, along with a representative of the esteemed Hellenic Government as per annual custom, the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Türkiye, and other dignitaries.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, official addresses will be exchanged between the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch, followed by the blessing of the congregation by both Primates from the balcony of the Patriarchal Residence.
As clarified by the press service of the Patriarchate, attendance at the Doxology on November 29 and the Liturgy on November 30 will be possible only by special invitations.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the Pope shared his vision of unity with the Orthodox Church.
Read also
Upper Lavra court hearing postponed
The next court hearing in the Upper Lavra case has been scheduled for November 3.
UOC priest blesses ambulances at Kamianske medical center
A UOC priest in Kamianske blessed ambulances for a medical facility and wished its doctors God's help in their work.
Dumenko to German ambassador: Law targeting UOC also applies to other groups
Epifaniy Dumenko sought to defend Ukraine’s law restricting religious organizations during a meeting with the German ambassador.
Activists bused to court hearings in UOC cases, media say
A minibus has been spotted transporting protesters to and from courthouses where UOC cases are being heard.
Firefighters save historic UOC church from fire in Zakarpattia
A fire broke out at a UOC church in the Tiachiv district, damaging the altar and church furnishings.
Volyn Eparchy faithful collect six tons of aid for Sviatohirsk Lavra
Believers in Volyn collected food and warm clothing for people displaced by the war who have found shelter at Sviatohirsk Lavra.