CONSTANTINOPLE – The Archbishop of New Justiniana and All Cyprus Georgios made a pilgrimage to Cappadocia, Silivri, and Constantinople with a group of believers from the island of Cyprus. While in Constantinople, on Saturday, July 6, he visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate, where he was warmly received by the Patriarchal Vicar, Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi, since Patriarch Bartholomew was absent in Italy. The members of the Patriarchal Court, led by the Grand Chancellor Gregory, welcomed the Archbishop of Cyprus at the entrance.

On Sunday, he visited the Holy Monastery of Zoodochos Pege in Baloukli, where he joined Patriarch Bartholomew in prayer from the Holy Altar, the latter welcoming him with heartfelt and friendly words. The two primates had a private meeting in the monastery’s abbot’s quarters. Subsequently, in the presence of Archbishop Georgios and the pilgrims, His All-Holiness conducted a Trisagion at the tomb of his late predecessor, Patriarch Athenagoras, on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of his passing.

Later, the Patriarch, speaking to the community of Saint Kyriaki in Kontoskali, where he went immediately after the Liturgy in Baloukli, referred to the visit of Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus, saying, “His Beatitude and his entourage made a holy pilgrimage to the sanctified Cappadocia, Silivri, and Constantinople, to venerate sacred and glorious places of our faith and to closely see the places where Ecumenical and Local Councils were convened, where great Fathers of the Church lived and worked pastorally and in writing, where monasticism, theological letters, and ecclesiastical arts flourished, places over which ‘the spirit of God hovered.’”

He emphasized that “we are particularly pleased with this visit of His Beatitude the and assure that he, as well as any brother Primate, will always find great honor, much brotherly love, and sincerity in our discussions towards further building Pan-Orthodox unity, which we have set from the very beginning of our Patriarchy as the main goal of our humble ministry and for which we have fought and will continue to do so until the end. Saint Augustine said that times change, but faith does not. We would add that, naturally, love does not change either. On the contrary, no matter the difficulties and temptations that arise, love always endures – and remains – and never fails, according to Paul’s assurance.”

Patriarch Bartholomew concluded by saying: “Therefore, above all, you, dearest children, should have love for one another and for all. If this is required of everyone, it is much more so from your Primates, who must be living examples of practical love, forgiveness, patience, and unity. Otherwise, they lose their credibility, preaching one thing and practicing another in their lives, and causing the name of the Lord to be blasphemed among the nations because of them.”