Ecumenical Patriarch: The Theotokos has no need of memorial services (PHOTOS)

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 23, 2026, for the Leave-taking of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos at the ruins of the historic Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni in Cyzicus.

Concelebrating with the Ecumenical Patriarch were Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna and Bishop Nikolaos of Amathus of the Church of Cyprus.

Among those attending were Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria, as well as clergy, monks, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, descendants of refugees from Artaki now living in Nea Artaki on the Greek island of Evia and other parts of Greece, and pilgrims from Istanbul and Imbros.

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Erdek, together with other representatives of the local authorities, were also present.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Bartholomew celebrated a memorial service for the late Ecumenical Patriarch Joachim III, who granted the monastery the status of a Patriarchal Stavropegion, and for all those who had served at the historic monastery.

“What grace, what blessing, what joy”

In an emotional address…