Phanar head celebrates name day with Romanian and Bulgarian patriarchs

Patriarch Bartholomew was concelebrated by the Primates of the Bulgarian and Romanian Churches on his name day. Photo: Orthodoxia News Agency

On June 11, 2026, the feast day of the Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, Patriarch Bartholomew celebrated a solemn service on the island of Imbros in Türkiye. For the first time in decades of his ministry, the head of the Phanar marked the day of his heavenly patron in his native village of Aghioi Theodoroi, inviting Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria and Patriarch Daniel of Romania for the occasion. This was reported by the UOJ in Greece.

The arrival of the guests was organized with special honors. On the morning of June 9, 2026, Patriarch Bartholomew personally welcomed the Primate of the Bulgarian Church, after which they set off for the island of Imbros. The following day, June 10, Patriarch Daniel of Romania arrived on Imbros by plane.

The central moment of the celebration was Great Vespers at the Church of St. George, where all three Primates concelebrated. In their official addresses, the Bulgarian Patriarch called the meeting “a testimony to the unity of Orthodoxy.” The head of the Romanian Church, for his part, praised Bartholomew for his “global recognition” and his dialogues with political leaders on environmental issues.

The Ecumenical Patriarch himself admitted that “nostalgia and reverence for his homeland” had compelled him to come to the island, and thanked the guests for “leaving their sees” to visit a small island with a great history. The head of the Phanar also personally gave the Bulgarian Patriarch a tour of his namesake museum, showing him exhibits connected with his ecclesiastical career.

As previously reported by the UOJ, Patriarch Bartholomew called on four Churches to accept the decisions of the Council of Crete.

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