Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visits Bosporus church, lauds Virgin Mary

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I visited the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Neochoirios, Bosporus on the afternoon of 4 August 2026. He was welcomed by Metropolitan Athanagoras of Kyrenia, the overseer of the Bosporus region, who offered warm remarks.

During the visit the Patriarch expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing projects in the community and addressed the local tax office. He delivered a theological address emphasizing the role of the Virgin Mary, describing her as the embodiment of divine charity, the source of “salvation as joy,” and the “silence of holiness.” The speech highlighted the significance of the Theotokos in Orthodox worship and the spiritual message of “holy silence” in contemporary times.