In a highly emotionally charged atmosphere, on Friday, January 19, 2024, the day of the Feast of the Epiphanies, with the Julian calendar, A.Th. Panagiotis the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew officiated, on Friday, January 19, at the Divine Liturgy, which was held in the old Holy Church of Agios Basilios in Triglia, Bithynia, for the celebration of the Epiphany according to the Julian calendar.

In his speech, the Ecumenical Patriarch referred with particular emotion to the event of the celebration of the Epiphany in the historic Triglia, pointing out, among other things, that “the souls of our ancestors, who rest in these soils expecting the Resurrection of the dead, are also rejoicing. Everyone is with us in this festive gathering.”

He then expressed his thanks to the Trigliani, who were in the birthplace of their ancestors, and to all the other pilgrims.

“Visiting the blessed lands of Asia Minor is always a source of intense emotions, existential shock and renewal. We cannot feel and understand these feelings unless we find ourselves in this holy land” said Mr. Bartholomew and added: “It is a fact that today in the Asia Minor land we do not meet the flourishing communities of the Roma, our schools and noble institutions, our temples, parishes and monasteries. But we find the imprint of our ancestors everywhere. We discover the stamp of Orthodoxy, philanthropy and charity, love and care for nature, peaceful coexistence and cooperation with their fellow citizens, but also their welcoming attitude towards visitors, which impressed foreign tourists”.

Next, the Ecumenical Patriarch pointed out:

“We owe a lot to the Asia Minor Romans, who, even as refugees, wherever they were in the world, saved and cultivated the Orthodox identity and its high values. Those who left their ancestral homes, poor and naked, took with them, written indelibly in their minds and deep in their hearts, all the spiritual wealth and invaluable experience of centuries, the cultural heritage of the Genus, which was inextricably linked to faith to Christ and the Orthodox ethos.”

Today, when spiritual values ​​are undervalued, the great importance and relevance of this spiritual heritage is revealed. That is why we repeat before you, dear pilgrims, what we always emphasize in similar circumstances: Do not forget your roots! Teach your children the traditions of the Genus. Convince the new generation to feel proud of their Asia Minor origin. Motivate the young men and women to visit the unforgettable homelands, to get to know the fatherland up close. And be sure that when they are here they will feel not just visitors, but will feel deep in their hearts that they belong here, they will discover unknown spiritual treasures, hidden wonders, they will hear unspoken verbs. Their souls will be filled with gratitude for their ancestors, who loved and beautified this place.”

Similar feelings, dear Christians, overwhelm the pilgrims, when they are in Fanari, the Pansept Center of Orthodoxy, where the relics and sanctuaries of the Genus have been preserved for many centuries and guarded tirelessly.”

Immediately after, the Ecumenical Patriarch, the high priests, the officials and the faithful in procession and accompanied by many permanent residents of Triglia went to the waterfront of the town, where the Patriarch presided over the ceremony of the immersion of the Cross. 6 believers dived into the cold waters of Propontis.

Then, at the old Greek school of Triglia, which was founded under the care of the Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Smyrna (Kalafati), originally from Triglia, and recently renovated by the local municipality, the Mayor of Moudania, Khairy Turkgilmaz, warmly welcomed His Holiness and the pilgrims from Greece, referred to his previous visits to Rafina, Nea Triglia and Nea Moudania, where many Triglianians live, and reiterated the importance of peaceful coexistence.

During the short celebratory event, the Choir of the expatriate Cultural Organization “Istos” performed Epiphany carols and traditional songs.