The Feast of Epiphany was celebrated with devotion and grandeur at the Patriarchal Church of St. George in Phanar, where Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy and the traditional consecration of the waters in the Keratian Gulf.
The event drew large crowds, including faithful from Greece, Romania, Ukraine, Georgia, and other Orthodox regions, underlining the feast’s importance to the global Orthodox community.
The day began with the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy held in the majestic setting of St. George's Church. Following the service, the Holy Cross was cast into the waters of the Keratian Gulf in a solemn and reverent ceremony, attended by throngs of faithful who gathered to witness this ancient tradition.
Prominent Attendees Highlight Ceremony’s Importance
Among the attendees were notable figures such as Nikos Androulakis, leader of Greece’s PASOK – Movement for Change, and Greek State Minister Akis Skertsos, who represented the Greek government. This marked Mr. Androulakis' third consecutive year attending the Epiphany celebrations in Istanbul.
Speaking after the ceremony, Mr. Androulakis extended his wishes to the Greek people:
"Happy feast day with health and prosperity to all Greeks. I hope our country embarks on a path of economic growth and social justice during these challenging times. It is also our duty to wish for peace and solidarity among all nations, and for the suffering in Ukraine and Gaza to finally cease."
In addition to the ceremonies in Phanar, similar water-blessing traditions were revived in other parts of Istanbul, including Chalkidona on the Asian side and Halki in the Princes’ Islands. For the first time in years, a consecration of waters took place in the western suburb of Agios Stefanos, further showcasing the enduring significance of Epiphany traditions in the Orthodox world.
The feast of Epiphany remains a vital expression of faith and cultural identity, drawing Orthodox Christians together in a shared spirit of devotion and hope for peace in a troubled world.