Head of Phanar сelebrates old-style Christmas with Russians in Istanbul
Russian women in Istanbul greet Patriarch Bartholomew at the Church of St. Andrew the First-Called. Photo: Phanar's Facebook page
On January 7, 2025, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople officiated the Nativity liturgy for the Russian-speaking community at the Church of St. Andrew the First-Called in Istanbul. The service was streamed live on the official Facebook page of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Parishioners welcomed the head of the Phanar dressed in traditional Russian kokoshniks and presented him with a symbolic loaf of bread. After the service, they also gifted him a handmade crocheted tablecloth.
Patriarch Bartholomew conducts Christmas services according to the Julian calendar for the Russian-speaking community in Istanbul annually. In 2024, parishioners similarly greeted him in traditional Russian attire.
Previously, the UOJ reported that OCU "Metropolitan" Mykhailo Zinkevych stated that those celebrating Christmas on January 7 are not aligned with Ukraine.
Read also
Orthodox and Catholic bishops make joint visit to Mount Athos
The head of the Phanar blessed a joint pilgrimage to Mount Athos by Roman Catholic and Orthodox bishops.
UOC Kryvyi Rih Eparchy marks 30th anniversary
Metropolitan Yefrem led the anniversary Divine Liturgy in Kryvyi Rih.
Ostapenko: Everyone in UCCRO feels fine except the “FSB UOC”
The director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve called the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches “a wonderful organization.”
Khmelnytskyi Eparchy donates funds for treatment of 12-year-old girl
UOC believers raised UAH 20,000 for Anastasiia Mamchur as part of an eparchial charity campaign.
Shevchuk: We had to convince world UOC ban does not violate religious freedom
The UGCC head claims that by banning the UOC, the state is not violating religious freedom but merely protecting the Church’s faithful from Moscow propaganda.
Lavra reserve head estimates damage to Dormition Cathedral at €15 million
Maksym Ostapenko said restoring the Dormition Cathedral would take at least a couple of years and require major funding.