Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew made a new call for an immediate end to the war and all acts of violence in Ukraine in his speech today, Lent Sunday, after the Divine Liturgy during which he officiated at the Holy Temple of St. Charalambos of the Community of Beve. His Holiness pointed out that a tragic humanitarian catastrophe has been unfolding in Ukraine for the last twenty-four hours and expressed his support for the families of all the victims and the injured.
He emphasized the need to focus on Russia, and said that it was even more important now with the crisis in Russia than in Russia. in our neighborhood, the fiercest conflict since World War II, we direct our prayers to the Lord Jesus, the Lord of peace, asking Him with fervent soul, as “give strength to his people” and as “bless his people” εν ειρήνη “(πρβλ. Ψαλμ. κη´, 11). The Holy Great Church of Christ sings unceasingly through the ages the hymn of the angels “peace on earth and prosperity in men” “.
He added: “Indeed, in the last twenty-four hours a tragic humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Ukraine. A war which, like any war, is an abominable and reprehensible situation. It is the domination of irrationality over reason, hatred over love, darkness over light, death over life.
We call, and from this position, another church to end the war now! To immediately stop any act of violence, anything that spreads pain and death. Let reason prevail, love for fellow human beings, reconciliation and solidarity, the light of the Risen Christ, the gift of life “.
According to a statement from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, His Holiness, among other things, reiterated “his support for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, but also for the entire Ukrainian nation, which has chosen to live freely and determine its own course.”
“We express our full support to our brother, the Prelate of the Church of Ukraine, His Beatitude the Metropolitan of Kiev, Mr. Epiphany, and our unwavering support to the entire hard-working Ukrainian people, who have a deep faith in God and a free himself his life, as he deserves in every nation. Although, unfortunately, some have come, these days, to the point of questioning even this historical and national subsistence.
Our thoughts are constantly with the wounded and with the families of the innocent victims, regardless of national origin and descent, for the rest of the souls whose souls we pray to the Lord of Life and Death. And we are sure that the Lord will hear our prayers and will not abandon his beloved children in Ukraine. “
The Ecumenical Patriarch, on the occasion of his inauguration today, praised the Metropolitan of Kydonia Athenagoras, supervisor of the Bosporus Region, for the work he has performed in the first year of his office, both liturgical and pastoral, but also from a cultural point of view, having of course, as he said, the valuable assistance of the Community bodies, with which it is in good cooperation. Afterwards, His Holiness expressed his patriarchal satisfaction to the hierarchical head Fr. Kyriakos Kesisoglou, as well as to the president of the Ecclesiastical Committee, Mary Symeonidou, and her associates, for the work performed.
Then, he presented to the church the new Archbishop of Crete Eugenios, who was accompanied by the Metropolitans of Ierapytni and Sitia, Cyril and Rethymno and Avlopotamos Prodromos.
“Everyone came to carry to us the message of love and devotion of the thriving legacy of the Throne in Crete, which, illuminated by the light of the humble, but unique in history and value of Fanari, walks the path of the destiny of the great. Holy Crete, we ask you to assure all the pious and devoted children of the Mother Church in Crete that her affection for them is unlimited, that she feels joy and pride for them, for their growth according to Christ and their progress in the world and that “Her arms are always open to welcome her to this unique and historic Pauline.”
Afterwards, the Patriarch asked the Archbishop of Crete to address the reasons for construction, which His Eminence willingly did, during the reception in the community hall. The Archbishop emphasized the devotion of the Church in Crete to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and then referred to the deep meaning of the words of the Lord in today’s evangelical passage.
Previously, His Holiness was welcomed by the Metropolitan of Kydonia, Athenagoras, who referred to the preparation of the faithful for the Lent and during Lent, so that “pure souls and impure lips”, to worship the Holy Passion and the Holy Passion.
On behalf of the Ecclesiastical Committee of the Community, Mrs. Mary Symeonidou and Mr. Nikolaos Saatsis, Vice-Chairman of the Ephorate Committee, addressed warm words to His Holiness, who referred to the work carried out in the Community during the last year.
During the Divine Liturgy, the Divine Word was preached by Archimandrite Agathangelos, Archbishop of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Lords Ofikiali of MTXE, the Consul General of Greece, Georgia Sultanopoulou, and a large number of believers from the city and pilgrims from abroad attended the church.
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