Coptic Patriarch prays at Liturgy in St. George’s Church at Phanar

The Coptic and Constantinople Patriarchs at the Phanar. Photo: Press Service of the Patriarchate of Constantinople

On April 26, 2026, the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the patriarchal cathedral of St. George the Great Martyr at the Phanar, the official website of the Church of Constantinople reports.

The service was attended by Patriarch Tawadros II of the Coptic Church, who arrived in Istanbul on an official visit. Tawadros II, who heads one of the non-Chalcedonian communities that separated from the Orthodox Church after the Fourth Ecumenical Council in 451, observed the Orthodox Liturgy from the Anthitron of the patriarchal church – a special place reserved for honored primatial guests. During the service, the Coptic Patriarch recited the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father,” in Arabic.

Patriarch Tawadros II is accompanied on the trip by Metropolitans Thomas of Qusiya and Meir, Daniel of Maadi, Basatin and Dar El Salam, Bishop Angelos, Egyptian Ambassador to Türkiye Wael Badawy, as well as clergy and laypeople.

The patriarchal choirs, conducted by Panagiotis Neochoritis, Protopsaltis of the Great Church of Christ, sang Many Years to both primates, after which the hierarchs exchanged the kiss of peace and gave their blessing to those present. Later that day, a formal luncheon was held at the Patriarchal Residence in honor of the head of the Coptic Church.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Bartholomew had called for more active development of Orthodox-Jewish dialogue.

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