In the Holy Church of Agios Nikolaos of the Athens Poorhouse, the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist was celebrated in the morning by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, while the Archbishop of AthensHieronymus of all Greece.

Present were high priests, the mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis, representatives of the Philanthropic Society of Athens Nursing Home-Poor Home, clergy and a multitude of believers.

The Metropolitan of Laodicea Theodoritos, director of the Representation of the Office of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Athens, characterized the day as important, because with the support and contribution of the archbishop, the Holy Temple was granted to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, he spoke about the history of the temple and mentioned its benefactors.

At the same time, he spoke about the celebration of Saints Constantine and Helen.

Immediately afterwards, the Archbishop stressed: “Our heart at this time is overwhelmed by feelings of deep emotion, brotherly love and much joy, as we address through life and this to Hymas, the God-greatest sage of the Church of Constantinople, Ityntor and Podigete, resurrecting appeals, and we welcome you to this so-called Temple of our Holy Father Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myron of Lycia, and indeed, on a very special day. A day on which we celebrate the memory of the Holy God-crowned kings and co-apostles Constantine and his mother Helen. After awe and reverence we remember that when Constantine the Great settled things in Rome, he set out for the East and, coming to Byzantium, he built the new capital of the state named after him, which he magnificently inaugurated. Besides, being the first Christian Roman emperor, you fervently supported Christianity, which the emperors before him relentlessly persecuted. And then we have in the midst of a crowded Church, on this holy holiday, the Archbishop of the cities and Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew of Constantinople, the bearer on his shoulders of the sacred legacy of faith, history, joy, sorrow and suffering of our pious Genus. Of Genus, which walks the cruciform and resurrection path after much faith, reverence and devotion to the Church. We all became witnesses of this faith during the recent arrival of the miraculous icon of Theomitoros, called “Axion Esti”. Pious Christians of all ages, after much desire and respect, wait for their turn to worship the holy print of our Lady Theotokos and thus express their love, honor and respect for the Great General of our Nation. Because we are moved and thank the Lord for keeping the flame of faith unquenchable in the hearts of our pious people”.

Furthermore, the archbishop pointed out: “But our joy and spiritual exhilaration becomes even greater, since Mother Metriotis officially grants today, with the consent of the Municipality of Athens, this holy Temple to the Ecumenical Patriarchate to serve its liturgical needs. The Church in question is a historical and architectural pride of Athens and we are happy because from now on it will also be a pride of the Church of Constantinople. Therefore, this Holy Church of our Holy Father Nicholas is from today a symbol of unity, solidarity, honor and love between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Greece”.

The Ecumenical Patriarch he thanked the archbishop, the mayor of Athens and the Benevolent Society of Athens Nursing Home-Poor Home and referred to the donation of the temple to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.