On Sunday, September 21, 2025, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew celebrated the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Southampton, New York. The Patriarchal Divine Liturgy took place during His All-Holiness’ Apostolic Visit to the United States, which included numerous activities in Washington, D.C. and New York City before the Ecumenical Patriarch traveled to Southampton.
After the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, His All-Holiness elevated Dormition church to the status of cathedral, as he conferred the title Grand Protopresbyter of the Holy and Great Church of Christ upon the Spiritual Advisor the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Father Alexander Karloutsos. Father Alex was instrumental in the expansion of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Present were His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Hierarchs of the Patriarchal delegation, and other Hierarchs, as well as the Spiritual Advisor of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Rev. Grand Protopresbyter of the Holy and Great Church of Christ Alexander Karloutsos; Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; the Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, National Vice Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; and numerous other Archons.
Previously, at a banquet held in his honor. His All-Holiness emphasized that “the most important, and we would say, the most impactful influence of your Mother Church, is in preserving the liturgical and canonical life of the Church.” He reminded the faithful: “Dear Spiritual Children – never forget that at every Divine Service, you are entering not only an liturgical experience, but a theurgical one as well.”
The Ecumenical Patriarch then explained: “What exactly do we mean by this? You all know the magnificent pageantry of our Holy Church, especially during the Great Week that leads to Pascha. But our Faith is not some mere performance. Our Faith is a living encounter with the Living God, Who created heaven and Earth. And in the Mysteries of our Faith – especially when you receive Holy Communion – and whenever you reverence an icon, make the sign of the Cross, or receive a blessing of Holy Water or Antidoron – you enter into the spiritual space that opens up to eternity. You engage in the work of theurgy – which is the Divine Activity of God in the world – ἔργον Θεοῦ.”
