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.

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