In an atmosphere of profound adoration and devotion, on the morning of Friday, April 26, the service of the Great Hours and the Descent from the Cross were celebrated in the all-holy Patriarchal church, during which the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew concelebrated with the Metropolitans Meliton of Philadelphia, Chrysostomos of Myra, Theoleptos of Iconium, Stephanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos, Athenagoras of Kydonia, Amphilochios of Adrianople, and Archbishop Job of Telmessos.

The homily was proclaimed by the Chancellor Andreas.

The old hand-embroidered epitaphios, bearing the Lord’s precious body, was carried in procession in the Church and placed among the flowers of the Holy Tomb in the center of the Solea, by the Great Archimandrite Bessarion and the Great Preacher Panaretos.

The Ecumenical Patriarch prostrated in worship first, and then followed the Hierarchs, the Sacred Clerics, and the crowd of the assembled faithful. To all, the Patriarch shared the customary flowers.

The Ambassador of Greece to Ankara, Petros Mavroidis, his wife, the official Archons and many faithful from Istanbul and abroad were present.