Members of the Russian community of Constantinople to the Bishop of Corfu
On Friday morning, May 18, 2018 his Eminence, the Bishop of Corfu, Paxoi and Diapontian Islands, Mr. Nektarios welcomed in the Bishop’s house, members of the Russian Community of Constantinople, accompanied by the Great Preacher Panaretos, during their visit to the island.
Mr. Nektarios, after welcoming with great pleasure the visitors, referred to the importance that Constantinople has for the Nation of the Greeks, which had been the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire for more than a millennium. Corfu, especially, is connected with the City, as the holy relic of Saint Spyridon was transferred from there to the island of the Phaeacians after the fall. Our Ecumenical Patriarchate has kept and continues to keep the Orthodox faith and testimony in the world alive.
Moreover, his Eminence praised the personality, the work and the struggle that his Beatitude Ecumenical Patriarch, Mr. Bartholomeus, has been joining for many years. Corfu had the blessing and honor, in December 2014, to celebrate with his Beatitude the worship of Saint Spyridon.
Thereafter, gifts were exchanged on behalf of the Grand Priest, with the dedication of the Virgin Mary and the Grand Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, before the Eucharist. For his part, the Bishop of Corfu donated souvenirs to their visit to the island, wishing the Lord God to strengthen them, through the embassies of Saint Spyridon.
