Ecumenical Patriarch and Archbishop of Albania honored the Dormition of the Theotokos on Imbros

The great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos was celebrated on the island of Imbros in an atmosphere of profound reverence and deep emotion.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Ioannis, Primate of the Church of Albania, at the festal church in the mountainous village of Agridia. They were joined by Metropolitans Meliton of Philadelphia and Chrysostomos of Myra.

Among those in attendance were Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos; members of the clergy; Athanasios Martinos, President of the Brotherhood of Archons Offikialioi of the Great Church of Christ “Panagia Pammakaristos” and Ecumenical Grand Benefactor; the Brotherhood’s Vice-President, Georgios Prokopiou; and numerous other Archons.

Also present were the Mayor of Nea Smyrni, Georgios Koutelakis, the leadership and members of the boards of the Imbrian associations of Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as many of the Patriarch’s compatriots and friends of Imbros.

The sermon was delivered by Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia. At the conclusion of the service, the holy Icon of the Panagia was carried in procession through the streets of the picturesque village.…