Historic National Philoptochos Pilgrimage to Ecumenical Patriarchate October 2007 - Part 1

On Friday, October 5, 2007 the historic Philoptochos Pilgrimage to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, sponsored by the National Philoptochos Board, embarked from cities across the United States, led by National Board Advisor, His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane. Plans for the trip emanated from the work of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Committee of the National Board to create a sense of support and connection to the Phanar and its philanthropic ministries beyond the substantial monetary commitment sent each year. Our physical presence would allow us to visit the institutions we support, observe and discuss their needs with leaders, and create a personal experience and bond which would hopefully blossom into fruitful activity throughout the Philoptochos chapters of the United States.

Our itinerary began in earnest on Sunday, Oct. 7^th with services at the Church of St. George at the Phanar with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew officiating. St. George was refurbished as a monastery and seat of the Ecumenical Patriarch in 1614. After being destroyed by fire in 1720, the Church was rebuilt and a dome added. In 1836 the church was repaired in its present form. Other buildings of the Phanar, including the Patriarchal residences, offices, the pavilion of the Holy Myron and the Tower in which the Holy Myron and Archives are stored, have been constructed over the last two centuries. The Phanar, beautiful within its walls but modest in size, reflects the difficulties faced over the centuries to this very day in maintaining this ancient seat of Orthodoxy in the midst of physical and legal restrictions.

As the deep baritone chanting filled the dimly lit Church for Orthros, we reverently took seats in the chairs between the massive columns and in the Stasithia, not being used that day by the hierarchs of the Patriarchal Synod. The two giant chandeliers blazed as the Doxologia was sung and His All Holiness formally entered to take his place at the magnificently carved Patriarchal Throne, inlaid with ivory and mother of pearl dating from 1577.

People began to arrive in earnest, most entering and walking to the side aisles to venerate the icons, relics of the saints, and the Column of Flagellation of Christ brought from Jerusalem and embedded in one of the columns of the church for veneration. Over a thousand people came and went during the Divine Liturgy as the small knot of people in the nave worshipped while the beautifully vested Ecumenical Patriarch tranquilly observed and blessed his flock and the clergy of the Patriarchate.

After services we met with His All Holiness in the Patriarchal offices. After greetings and remarks by His All Holiness, Faye Peponis, chairman of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Committee of the National Philoptochos Board on behalf of National President Georgia Skeadas, presented the Ecumenical Patriarch with a check for $10,000 to aid in the work of patriarchal ministries. A tour of the Church of St. George was highlighted by the opportunity to venerate the relics of St. John Chrysostom and St.Gregory the Theologian, recently returned to the Patriarchate by the Pope.

By Faye Peponis