CYZICUS, TR – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America joined His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Sunday, August 23, 2026, for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the historic ruins of the Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of Panagia Phaneromeni in Cyzicus, on the occasion of the Apodosis, or Leave-taking, of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos.

His All-Holiness presided over the Divine Liturgy, concelebrating with His Eminence Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna and His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Amathus of the Church of Cyprus. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America prayerfully attended the Divine Liturgy together with His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon and His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria, as well as clergy, monastics, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, descendants of refugees from Artaki, and pilgrims from Constantinople, Imbros, Greece, and elsewhere.

The celebration at the ancient monastery was especially poignant, recalling the centuries during which Panagia Phaneromeni served as a beloved center of Orthodox Christian faith and pilgrimage for the faithful of Artaki, the peninsula of Cyzicus, and the wider region of the Sea of Marmara. Following the tragic events of 1922, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated again at the monastery in 2015, after 93 years of silence.

Speaking after the Divine Liturgy, His All-Holiness reflected with visible emotion upon returning once again to this sacred place, describing the monastery’s ruins as living witnesses to generations of faith, prayer, and devotion to the Most Holy Theotokos.

“And today, once again, we are here,” His All-Holiness proclaimed, giving thanks to God for the opportunity to celebrate the Leave-taking of the Dormition at the historic monastery. He recalled that the wonderworking icon of Panagia Phaneromeni, transferred from the monastery approximately a century ago, is preserved to this day at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Phanar, located opposite the Patriarchal Throne, where she continues to receive the prayers and supplicates on behalf, the Ecumenical Patriarch, the Mother Church of Constantinople, and all the faithful.

At the conclusion of the service, His All-Holiness offered a Trisagion for the repose of the soul of the late Ecumenical Patriarch Joachim III, who established the monastery as a Patriarchal Stavropegion in 1903, and for the souls of all those who served and sanctified this historic place through their prayer and ministry.

Following the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros offered a luncheon in honor of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the members of the Patriarchal delegation. The gathering provided an opportunity for fellowship following the deeply moving pilgrimage and celebration and was an expression of His Eminence’s filial love and profound respect for His All-Holiness. 

The significance of this sacred pilgrimage extends beyond the historic shores of Cyzicus. As Archbishop Elpidophoros prepares to return to the United States, he carries with him the venerable Patriarchal blessing of His All-Holiness, the living spirit of the Mother Church of Constantinople, and the prayerful intercessions offered before Panagia Phaneromeni, whose presence has sustained generations of the faithful through times of both joy and trial.

In returning to the Sacred Archdiocese, His Eminence brings these spiritual gifts to the dedicated clergy and faithful of America, renewing the bonds that unite them to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and to the sacred inheritance which continues to exude blessing, strength, and unwaning witness.

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