Ecumenical Patriarch: Prayer that does not become love remains incomplete

The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over Great Vespers on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, at the festal celebration of the Holy Church of Saint Menas in Ypsomatheia, on the occasion of the sacred commemoration of the Holy Martyrs Menas, Victor and Vincent, and Saint Theodore the Studite.

The sermon was delivered by the Patriarchal Deacon Photios Poulopoulos, First Secretary of the First Patriarchal Office.

Following Great Vespers, the Ecumenical Patriarch addressed the congregation, expressing his joy at being among them once again this year on the feast day of their church. In so doing, he continued, with a sense of fatherly affection and responsibility, a beautiful tradition begun by his predecessors.

“For your shepherd,” he said, “is not only the Ecumenical Patriarch, who travels to the farthest corners of the earth, but, first and foremost, the Archbishop of New Rome–Constantinople, the shepherd of this small yet blessed flock, who rejoices each time he finds himself among his spiritual children.”

The Patriarch then spoke of his recent visit to Zurich, Switzerland, where he presided over the celebrations marking the thirtieth anniversary of the consecration of the…