Easter mass at Aya Yorgi Church brings together diplomats, Orthodox Christians in Istanbul
An Easter service is held Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew at Aya Yorgi Church in Istanbul, Turkiye on April 20, 2025. (AA Photo)
Easter, one of the most significant religious holidays for Christians, symbolizing the resurrection of Jesus Christ, was marked with a mass at the Fener Greek Patriarchate in Istanbul.
The service, held at the Aya Yorgi Church within the Patriarchate, was led by the Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos.
During the ceremony, Patriarch Bartholomeos, with incense in hand, directed the religious ritual towards the congregation.
Those attending the mass formed long queues at the church entrance. Visitors, bringing traditional Easter cakes and dyed eggs, lit candles and prayed at the church entrance.
Diplomatic presence at the ceremony
The mass was attended by Greece’s Ambassador to Ankara, Theodoros Bizakis, Istanbul Consul General Konstantinos Koutras, and Ukraine’s Consul General in Istanbul, Roman Nedilskyi.
In addition to Orthodox Christians living in Türkiye, the ceremony attracted the attention of Greek, Russian, Ukrainian, and Georgian nationals residing in Istanbul.
