Ecumenical Patriarch: “My entire journey has been a life in dialogue” (PHOTOS+VIDEO)

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew celebrated the 65th anniversary of his ordination to the diaconate on Thursday, August 13, 2026, on his native island of Imbros, joined by the Primates of the Churches of Alexandria and Albania.

On Thursday morning, a Patriarchal Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Metropolitan Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, presided over by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Concelebrating were Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa and Archbishop Ioannis of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania. Also participating were Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Myra, Metropolitan George of Guinea, and Archimandrite Bartholomew, Abbot of the Esphigmenou Monastery on Mount Athos.

Among those attending the service were Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos; Roman Catholic Archbishop Massimiliano Palinuro of Constantinople; clergy; Monk Tarasios of Koutloumousiou, representing the Holy Community of Mount Athos; and other Athonite monks.

Also present were Athanasios Martinos, President of the Brotherhood of Archons “Panagia Pammakaristos” and Ecumenical Grand Benefactor,…