Pilgrimage of UGCC delegation to holy places in ancient Constantinople has ended

On the last day of the pilgrimage of UGCC delegation to holy places of ancient Constantinople, on April 23, 2013, His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), UGCC Head, together with Bishop Borys (Gudziak), head of UGCC Department of International Affairs, prayed at a Litany and Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George in Fanari (Stambul district) where the residency of the Constantinople Patriarch is also located.  Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I headed the Liturgy and Rev. Vissarion, a graduate of St. Petersburg Spiritual Academy, delivered the homily.

Afterwards, UGCC Major Archbishop together with Bishop Borys visited the Patriarchal theology school which is located on Halki Island (Kheibelada) which, as we know, was closed by the Turkish government in 1971.  Since then the Ecumenical Patriarch aspires to renew its existence.

UGCC delegation also visited the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, where Bishop  Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis), Metropolitan of Bursa, showed them a 15^th century icon of the Crucifixion that was found in the Patriarchal theology school.  At this meeting, UGCC Head noted that “this icon is a witness of the unity of the Kyivan Church.” After lunch, the Metropolitan led a tour of the theology school grounds.  In conclusion he discussed with Bishop Borys issues concerning renewal and care of theological educational institutions.

UGCC Department of Information