Patriarch Bartholomew again urged Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem to participate in the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople has once again extended a fraternal invitation to Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem to participate in the celebrations marking the 1700th anniversary of the convening of the First Ecumenical Council, which will take place on November 28 in Nicea. The announcement came during a packed program that included an evening service on the occasion of the feast of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, as well as the celebration of the 34th anniversary of the election of Patriarch Bartholomew himself.

According to Romfea.gr, on the evening of Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Patriarch Bartholomew celebrated Vespers at the Church of St. George in Neohori on the Bosphorus, which is a sub-church (Metoch) of the Holy Sepulchre. The service was timed to coincide with the Throne Feast of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem — the day of commemoration of the Holy Glorious Apostle James, brother of the Lord, the first Bishop of Jerusalem.

In his address addressed to His Eminence Archbishop Nectarius of Anhedonia, representative of the Holy Sepulchre in Constantinople, Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized the centuries-old ties between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Sion, highlighting «the unwavering support that the Mother See of the Orthodox Church has given to the Holy Sepulchre Brotherhood throughout the centuries.» He also mentioned the mediation of the Church of Constantinople before the Byzantine emperors and then the Sublime Porte and diplomatic missions in defense of the rights of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, as well as practical assistance in solving the financial problems of the Jerusalem Church.

«The present prayerful communion of our two Churches, » said Patriarch Bartholomew, » is another link in the chain of our fraternal relations, both in days of glory and prosperity and in difficult times. He assured that the Patriarchate of Constantinople is ready to continue to provide all possible assistance and support to the Sister Church of Jerusalem, and asked him to convey his fraternal greetings to His Beatitude the Abbot of the Holy Sepulchre Brotherhood and Patriarch Theophilos.

Taking the opportunity, the head of the Phanar reiterated his fraternal invitation, previously sent in writing, to His Holiness Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem to participate in the joint celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the convening of the First Ecumenical Council on November 28 in Nicea. Pope Leo XIV, as well as Patriarchs Theodore of Alexandria and John of Antioch have also been invited to the celebrations. In addition, the sacred memory of St. Andrew the Apostle, the founder of the Church of Constantinople, will be celebrated on November 30 at the Phanar.

«In this historic event, a tangible manifestation of the unity of Eastern and Western Christianity, of the four Patriarchs of the East and the Patriarch of the West, of the Pentarchy of Patriarchs, we cannot imagine the absence of the successor of James, the brother of the Lord, » Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized. — We pray and expect a positive response from His Beatitude Brother Patriarch Theophilos, a response to his historic responsibility ‘for the unity of all’.»

Recall, the Holy See has officially confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will make apostolic journeys to Turkey and Lebanon in late November and early December this year. The trip is timed to coincide with the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council and will take place at the invitation of heads of state and local church authorities.