ERT to Broadcast Patr. Bartholomew’s 65th Ordination Anniversary

IMBROS, GREECE — Greek public broadcaster ERT will provide live coverage of two major liturgical celebrations on Imbros this month, including events marking the 65th anniversary of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s ordination to the diaconate.

On Thursday, Aug. 13, ERT3 and ERT Cosmos will broadcast the Divine Liturgy from the Metropolitan Church of Panagia in Imbros beginning at 9 a.m. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will preside, with Pope and Patr. Theodore II of Alexandria and Abp. John of Albania concelebrating.

The Aug. 13 celebration coincides with the anniversary of Patr. Bartholomew’s ordination as a deacon on Aug. 13, 1961, which took place at the same church in his birthplace of Imbros. The anniversary will be the culmination of celebrations commemorating 65 years of his priestly ministry.

ERT will also broadcast live on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 9 a.m., for the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. The broadcast will originate from the Holy Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Agridia, a mountainous village on Imbros.

The Patriarchal Divine Liturgy there will be celebrated by Patr. Bartholomew together with Abp. John of Albania. The broadcasts continue ERT’s practice of televising major liturgical events connected with the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the Ecumenical Patriarch marked 1,400 years since the Akathist Hymn was first sung.