His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, presided over the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, July 13, 2025, commemorating the Holy and God-Bearing Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon, at the Church of St. George at the Gate of Adrianople. For the past five years, services at this church have been conducted in the Georgian language to serve the Georgian community in the city.
In attendance were His Eminence Metropolitan Joachim of Bursa, the Honorable Mr. Aleksandre Jishkariani, Consul General of Georgia in the city, and a large congregation from the Georgian-speaking community.
Immediately after the Divine Liturgy, the Patriarch addressed the faithful, once again emphasizing the loving and tireless concern of the Mother Church for all her flock, and especially for the faithful living in the City. He stated that, in “a gesture of pastoral care and solidarity,” he had blessed the establishment of the Georgian-speaking community in the City, which over the past five years has developed various spiritual activities to strengthen the faithful. His All-Holiness noted that both clergy and laypeople contributed to this progress, making special mention of the parish priest, the Very Reverend Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne, Fr. Ilia Jinjolava. “His pastoral efforts have helped this community grow in an organized, confident, and devoted manner, in a spirit of brotherhood. We express our appreciation for his ongoing ministry,” said the Patriarch.
He went on to say, among other things:
“The fruits of this collective work are clearly visible. You have established a thriving catechetical school, published liturgical texts in the Georgian language, and hosted theological and cultural events that highlight the enduring connection between the Churches of Constantinople and Georgia – between the Queen of Cities and the ancient capital of Mtskheta.
Equally moving is your ministry’s witness: providing care for Georgian pilgrims, offering spiritual support to the sick, and celebrating both the feasts of the Church and the milestones of your homeland’s national identity. Your community has become a spiritual home not only for Georgian faithful residing in this city but also for those living in other cities in this country, including Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, and Trabzon.”
The Patriarch expressed his gratitude to the clergy and laypeople who lovingly care for this historic church, whose restoration, he reminded, was made possible with the kind support of the appropriate state authorities. Offering paternal exhortations to the congregation, he added:
“Remain steadfast in the Orthodox faith. Preserve the unity and peace of the Church. Let all your efforts be for the glory of God and the edification of His people. May you continue to serve as a shining witness to our apostolic tradition and the rich heritage of Georgian Orthodoxy within the embrace of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”
At noon, His All-Holiness blessed the meal that was offered in the Community Hall.
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