Patr. Bartholomew to Lead 1,400th Anniversary of Akathist Hymn

ISTANBUL — Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will preside over the Divine Liturgy on Aug. 7 at the Holy Spring of Panagia Blachernae, commemorating the 1,400th anniversary of the first chanting of the Akathist Hymn after Constantinople's miraculous deliverance from siege in A.D. 626.

Accompanied by members of his official entourage, the Ecumenical Patriarch will lead the anniversary observance at one of Orthodoxy's most revered Marian shrines. According to longstanding Orthodox tradition, the people of Constantinople gathered at the Church of Panagia Blachernae after the Avar and Persian siege was lifted, offering an all-night thanksgiving service to the Most Holy Theotokos. During that vigil, the faithful stood to sing the Akathist Hymn in gratitude for her intercession, establishing a tradition that continues throughout the Orthodox Church today.

By the seventh century, the Church of Blachernae had become Constantinople's foremost shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary, housing revered relics associated with the Theotokos and serving as a major pilgrimage destination. The church was closely linked to the city's identity, with tradition also crediting the Mother of God with protecting Constantinople during later Arab and Rus sieges. Although the historic basilica was destroyed centuries ago, the Holy Spring has remained a place of Orthodox pilgrimage, and a modern church now stands over the ancient hagiasma, or holy spring.

This year's anniversary marks a rare milestone in Orthodox history, bringing the faithful together to commemorate 14 centuries since the hymn's first public chanting at the very site where the tradition began. The Akathist Hymn remains one of the Church's most beloved devotional services and continues to be celebrated annually, especially during Great Lent.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Patr. Bartholomew inspected renovation work at Halki Theological School.