Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, whose origin is in Imbros, expressed full support to Metropolitan Kyrill of Imbros and Tenedos in a statement he made during the enthronement of the new metropolitan that took place yesterday in Imbros.
“Be sure, my dear brother, that all Imbrians, and, above all, the Ecumenical Patriarch, will be by your side. We are tied to our island, the same way a fetus is connected with its mother. We share common experiences, customs and traditions, pain and sorrow, expectations and hopes. The unshakable trust in God’s providence unites us all and gives us strength.
The Ecumenical Patriarch also spoke of the new Metropolitan of Imbros and referred to his work and his course in Smyrna where he had previously served. In particular, he called on the new metropolitan, in addition to his duties of spiritual care, to be by the side of the schools and the youth of the island. He also stressed that all Imbrians carried on by exemplifying human solidarity and optimism. “Our homeland is calling us. We belong to our homeland. The providence of God placed us here. We are moving forward and our new Bishop and Metropolitan is leading us. He will eventually become, if he is not already, an ‘Imbrian’ too,” the Ecumenical Patriarch added.
In his homily, the Metropolitan of Imbros and Tenedos called on the flock of the metropolis to be united as a family: “The building of the Metropolis will be always open, 24 hours a day, every day, all year long. Your father and shepherd will be waiting for you in order to bring hope and more optimism,” he said.
Finally, Metropolitan Kyrillos addressed Imbrian Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and said that, from then on, the islands of his eparchy would be his only concern. “I am looking you straight in the eyes and I promise you here in front of everyone: Your Holiness, I will be cherishing and protecting Imbros and Tenedos! Please, make only one wish for me: to be able to love this eparchy, just like you do, and to be loved by its people. Please, wish me to be able to become one of you, and to become for you the one and only.”
