Archdiocese News

Visit of His Beatitude, Patriarch Teoctist, to Constantinople

At the invitation of His All-Holiness, Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His Beatitude Patriarch Teoctist, accompanied by a delegation from the Romanian Orthodox Church, made a brotherly visit to the Ecumenical Patriarch on May 18-24. The itinerary of the visit included a pilgrimage to the ancient province of Cappadocia, a cradle of Orthodox life, spirituality, and theological culture from the earliest Christian centuries. The two primates celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the church in Caesarea (Neapolis) on the Feasts of the Ascension (May 20) and of Sts. Constantine and Helen (May 21). On Sunday, May 23, His All-Holiness Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, and His Beatitude Patriarch Teoctist, together with a group of Greek and Romanian hierarchs, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Holy Martyr Parascheva, situated in the Haskoy quarter near the Golden Horn. The church has been donated by the Ecumenical Patriarch for the use of the Romanian Orthodox Christians in Istanbul.

The Romanian Orthodox community of Istanbul was granted the use of the St. Parascheva Church, founded by the Holy Martyr, Voievod Constantin Brâncoveanu, as the result of an agreement between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Romanian Patriarchate, signed on March 1, 2004, by its representatives, Archbishop Teodosie of Tomis and Bishop Ciprian Câmpineanul, Patriarchal Vicar. On the basis of this agreement, Fr. Silviu State, the representative of the Romanian Orthodox community of Istanbul, took over this house of worship from the Greek community following the signing of a document by Mr. Stavros Vasiliadou, President of the Administrative Council of the community. This document was validated by the Turkish authorities, with the support of the Romanian Minister of External Affairs and the Romanian Embassy in Ankara.

First Patronal Feast of the Cathedral and Eparchial Center in Chicago

On Sunday, May 23, the clergy and faithful of the Eparchial Center in Chicago celebrated the first patronal feast of the Center, Sts. Constantine and Helen. The celebration began with Vespers on Saturday, May 22, with the participation of Fathers Vladimir and Alexander from the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity which provided us space during the first months after the Eparchial Center was moved to Chicago. Archbishop Nicolae expressed his gratitude for their presence and their help, as well as our joy in being able to receive them in the new Eparchial Center of our Archdiocese.

The celebration continued on Sunday with the Divine Liturgy and a festive meal. For the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Ioan Ioniţă, Archdiocesan Vicar, was also present with the priests of the cathedral. His Eminence, Archbishop Iakovos of the Greek Metropolis of Chicago, attended the Liturgy, as well as a group from our St. Mary parish in Ft. Wayne. The same words of gratitude were addressed to Archbishop Iakovos, who had directly intervened in order that the Divine Services of our Center could be held at the Greek Holy Trinity Church. At the festive meal which followed, the children and young people presented a lovely and unexpected artistic program. All who were present, both the faithful of the Cathedral and our guests, enjoyed a program consisting of poetry and music from the Romanian and international repertoire. Words of appreciation and gratitude were given by His Excellence, Mr. George Predescu, Romanian Consul General in Chicago, His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos, and His Eminence Archbishop Nicolae.

This first patronal feast celebrated in our new Eparchial Center in Chicago was truly an occasion of joy and hope for those present: joy because of God-s blessing and the fruit of the mission of our Archdiocese in Chicago, hope regarding the future of this mission, which is tied to the response of the faithful, and the good turnout and participation of the children and youth in the Church and in the activities organized for them.