In Turkey, Orthodox, Catholics and Anglicans pray together

Metropolitan Bartholomew of Constantinople with hierarchs of the Catholic and Anglican Churches. Photo: vema

Ecumenism brought together representatives of three Christian denominations at the Basilica of Saint John the Theologian in Ephesus (Turkey) on the evening of May 2, 2026, repors Vema.

The event was organized by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Smyrna. Participants included: Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna of the Constantinople Patriarchate, who led Saturday vespers, Catholics headed by Archbishop Martin Kmetec of Smyrna, and Anglicans – Dean James Buxton and a group of pilgrims from London, including Honorary Bishop Martin Seeley of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.

After the Orthodox vespers, Archbishop Kmetec conducted a Catholic service and addressed the participants with a welcoming speech. Metropolitan Bartholomew delivered a brief speech in Turkish and English, noting that "God is love" and that their joint presence testifies to "dialogue, mutual respect and peace" in the face of the divisions of the modern world.

As the UOJ reported, Patriarch Bartholomew participated in an ecumenical service in Sweden in August 2025. The Basilica of St. John the Theologian in Ephesus is an early Christian church of the 6th century, built under Emperor Justinian over the presumed burial site of the Apostle and Evangelist John. Today, it is an architectural monument in Turkey and receives pilgrims of various faiths.

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