Ecumenical Patriarch, Abp. Elpidophoros Celebrate Divine Liturgy at Historic Cyzicus Monastery

CYZICUS, TURKEY — Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 23, at the historic ruins of the Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of Panagia Phaneromeni in Cyzicus, marking the Leave-taking of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos.

According to reporting from the Orthodox Observer, Abp. Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America joined the Ecumenical Patriarch for the celebration, along with Metr. Bartholomew of Smyrna, Bp. Nicholas of Amathus of the Church of Cyprus, Elder Metr. Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Metr. Maximos of Selyvria, clergy, monastics, Archons, descendants of refugees from Artaki, and pilgrims from Constantinople, Imbros, Greece, and elsewhere.

The service marked another return of Orthodox worship to the ancient monastery, which had long served as an important center of faith and pilgrimage for the Orthodox faithful of Artaki and the wider region before the events of 1922. The Divine Liturgy was first celebrated there again in 2015, following 93 years of silence.

Speaking after the service, Patr. Bartholomew reflected on the monastery's enduring spiritual legacy and the generations of faithful who had prayed there. He also recalled the wonderworking icon of Panagia Phaneromeni, which was transferred from the monastery approximately a century ago and is now preserved at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Phanar.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Ecumenical Patriarch offered a Trisagion for the repose of Ecumenical Patriarch Joachim III, who established the monastery as a Patriarchal Stavropegion in 1903, as well as for all those who served and sanctified the historic site.

Following the pilgrimage and service, Abp. Elpidophoros hosted a luncheon in honor of Patr. Bartholomew and the Patriarchal delegation.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. Elpidophoros had named a new dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York.