As part of a working visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, at the invitation of Metropolitan Iov of Pisidia and with the blessing of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Ukraine, Bishop Michael of Koman, co-celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of St. Alipius the Pillar in Antalya on May 19, on the Sunday of the holy Myrrh-bearing Women.
This is reported by the Mission of the Stauropegium of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Ukraine.
Traditionally, on this day, the memory of the Antalya icon of the Mother of God is celebrated, and this year, on this day, the angel day of the bishop, Metropolitan Iov, also fell. During the Liturgy, Bishop Iov was also co-served by Bishop Ambrosius of Evdokiad and the clergy of the Pisidian Metropolis.
During the Liturgy, chants were heard in many languages: Church Slavonic, Ukrainian, Moldavian, Georgian and Turkish, creating an atmosphere of unity in diversity and emphasizing the universal nature of the Orthodox Church.
At the end of the service, the prayer “Our Father” was read jointly in these same languages, uniting those present in a common effort. Believers and clerics warmly congratulated Bishop Iov on his angel day.
At the end of the Liturgy, the local church choir gave a concert of Easter carols, bringing joy to all the believers inn attendance.
In addition, Bishop Michael met with Ukrainians displaced by Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression, who found refuge in Türkiye. This meeting came as an opportunity for spiritual support and hope for those affected by war.
It should be recalled that the Ecumenical Patriarch arrived in Lisbon to participate in the interreligious dialogue.
