LAST UPDATE: 17:16
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy for a second time for the Feast of the Epiphany (according to the Julian calendar) at the Church of Panagia in Tirilye in Bursa, Turkey. He then performed the Blessing of the Waters at the port of the town.
It is worth mentioning that many Slavic-speaking Orthodox Christians live in the town of Tirilye who belong to the Holy Metropolis of Bursa.
In his speech, the Ecumenical Patriarch emphasized that “generations are coming and going, we Orthodox Christians are witnessing to the Faith of the Fathers, the culture of faith, love and hope.”
He also added that “there are no visitors here today. We are all pilgrims. We all feel that we are returning to familiar places where our ancestors lived and created a high culture, built magnificent temples and a monastery, left everywhere the mark of their intelligence, piety and creativity. Don’t forget your roots. Teach your children our traditions, help them realize the importance of their Asia Minor descent.”
