July 22, 2015
Constantinople: Group of Holy Trinity Seminary Students & Faculty
visit Ecumenical Patriarchate
From
July 14 to 21, two instructors from Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary
in Jordanville, NY, Deacon Andrei Psarev and Dr. Vitaly Permiakov,
and two second-year students, Abbot Constantin (Churchin) and Novice
Angelos Stanway, visited historical sites in Istanbul
(Constantinople) and Iznik (Nicaea), Turkey. For the second-year
students who studied the history of Byzantium in the 2014-15
academic year, this trip became a fitting conclusion to the course.
It became possible through the generous donations of Holy Trinity
Seminary alumni and other donors.
On Saturday, July 18, the group from Jordanville paid a visit to the
seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Phanar district of
Istanbul. Mr. George Sarraf from the English Office of the
Patriarchate led the guests through the Patriarchal Cathedral of
Holy Great-Martyr George, and told them about its history and most
sacred items. During the tour, the guests had a clear vision of the
history of survival that characterized the life of the Patriarchate
under Ottoman domination. The Jordanville guests venerated the
relics of the Holy Great-Martyress Euphemia the All-Praised (4th
c.), of the Three Holy Hierarchs – Basil the Great, Gregory the
Theologian, and John Chrysostom – and other sacred items found in
the Patriarchal Cathedral. This coming September, the cathedral will
host a gathering of the primates of the autocephalous Orthodox
Churches, who will discuss plans for the upcoming Pan-Orthodox
Council to be convoked in 2016.
Further, Mr. Sarraf showed the guests the building that houses the
Patriarchal residence and chancery, including the room where monthly
meetings of the Patriarchal Synod take place. Then, the guests
prayed at Great Vespers, which was served at St. George Patriarchal
Cathedral in the presence of His All-Holiness, Patriarch
Bartholomew.
After
the conclusion of Vespers, His All-Holiness, Patriarch Bartholomew,
received the group in his office. Aside from Mr. Sarraf, Pastor Marc
Madrigal (who served as tour guide for the Jordanville group) and
Mr. Orkan Kumkale also took part in the meeting. In the course of
the conversation, His All-Holiness kindly welcomed the HTOS guests
to his see and bestowed upon them his patriarchal blessing to visit
the sites connected with the glorious and tragic history of
Byzantium. His All-Holiness briefly shared with his guests his
thoughts regarding the preparations for the upcoming Great and Holy
Council in 2016 and for the Synaxis of the primates at the end of
this year, asking for prayers for the success of these events. The
Patriarch heard with interest the news concerning the recent
launching of Holy Trinity Seminary Press, an imprint of Holy Trinity
Publications, and wished success to this endeavor. The guests
received commemorative gifts from His All-Holiness, as well as books
for HTOS Library.
On Sunday, July 19, the HTOS instructors and students prayed at
Orthros and Divine Liturgy at St. George Patriarchal Cathedral, with
all receiving Christ’s Holy Mysteries. His All-Holiness was also
present and praying at this service. After Liturgy, the Jordanville
guests were invited by the Patriarch to dine with him, together with
some other invited guests, in the Patriarchal dining hall. During
the meal, His All-Holiness recalled his meetings with some of the
hierarchs of the Russian Church Abroad: the ever-memorable
Metropolitan Laurus, and His Eminence Michael, Archbishop of Geneva.
After lunch, His All-Holiness donated some additional books for HTOS
Library and extended to his guests an invitation to visit his See
and residence in Constantinople in the future.
Holy Trinity Seminary faculty and students who took part in this
wonderful trip express their profound gratitude to His All-Holiness
Patriarch Bartholomew for his hospitality and warm welcome, and also
thank Mr. George Sarraf for his help and good care.
www.hts.edu
