On Sunday 14 January 2024, with due ecclesiastical splendour and brightness, the Great Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord in the Flesh and the memory of Saint Basil the Great were celebrated according to the Julian Calendar at the Russian-speaking Parish of Saint Andrew (Metochion of Vatopedi Monastery) in Constantinople.
With the blessing of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Grand Protosyncellus Archimandrite Gregorios liturgised along with the priests of the Church, Grand Preacher Archimandrite Panaretos and Archimandrite Victor Kopoutsou, while Patriarchal Deacon Epiphanios also concelebrated.
Present for the feast day, among others, were Archon Grand Hartofylax of the Great Church of Christ, Mr. Panteleimon Vigas, nuns from the Holy Monastery of Saint John the Baptist and Forerunner, Akritochori, Serres, Greece, and many faithful believers from Constantinople.
In his brief address, Fr. Gregorios gave thanks for the cordial invitation, affirmed the love and affection without exception of their Archbishop known to all the flock of the Holy Archdiocese of Constantinople, and conveyed the Patriarchal blessings, wishing all present well for the new year that has dawned!
This was followed by the customary cutting of Vasilopita in the hall of the Parish. There, Archon Mr. Vigas addressed the congregation, referring to the warm familial moments he experienced in the Church and Divine Liturgy, as well as at the festive meal, and urged the faithful to fight for the preservation of the Orthodox tradition.
