The Primates of the Churches of Alexandria and Albania arrived on Imbros to celebrate the anniversary of Patriarch Bartholomew’s consecration

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople arrived on the island of Imbros, accompanied by Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and Archbishop John of Tirana and All Albania. The visit to the homeland of the head of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople coincides with the celebration of the 65th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, which took place after he graduated from the Halki Theological School in 1961. This was reported by the Orthodoxia News Agency ( ).

A solemn reception for the hierarchs took place on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the island’s port, where they were welcomed by representatives of the clergy and local residents, led by Metropolitan Cyril of Imbros and Tenedos. Immediately upon arrival, the delegation visited the Metropolitan Church of Panagia to venerate the holy relics.

The culmination of the festive events will be a concelebrated Divine Liturgy, which will take place on Thursday, August 13. Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Mir and other officials, including Archon Athanasios Martinos, are also taking part in the celebration. The visit will conclude on Saturday, August 15, when, on the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos according to the New Style, Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Anastasios of Albania will celebrate a joint Liturgy at the Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos in Agridia.

As a reminder, we previously reported that the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church had officially invited Patriarch Bartholomew to visit Bulgaria in October of this year.