“We do all we can to be worthy descendants of glorious ancestors,” Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew said, welcoming on Monday afternoon, November 4, shortly after the Vespers, at the Patriarchal Church, the crowded congregation of worshipers from the islands of Samos, Ikaria and Fourni, members of the “Samos Union of Asia Minor Greeks”.
“Rest assured that we are guarding the outpost here. Do not worry about our Patriarchate, only pray for it and for all of us who serve the sacred and holy of holies of our Nation, in this historic place, this city of our fathers,” the Patriarch said in his brief address, and continued: “We do all we can to be worthy descendants of glorious ancestors. Conditions are not always easy, and you know that, but we are striving to do our best. Our wishes and our love from the Phanar, from Constantinople, will always accompany you. Please pass our feelings of love and affection with the blessings of the Mother Church on to those who have not been able to join you.”
The President of the Samos Union of Asia Minor Greeks, Anna Psara, expressed heartfelt thanks for the opportunity the pilgrims group had to receive the blessings of the Ecumenical Patriarch. “We began this painful and tiring journey from far Samos, Ikaria and Fourni, to the City of the Cities, which for many was a lifetime dream, for others a sacred pilgrimage and for everyone a debt of honour to our homeland and God,” Mrs. Psara said, among other things.
