site.btaBulgarian Patriarch Daniil Serves Thanksgiving Prayer Service at St George Cathedral in Istanbul

Bulgarian Patriarch and Sofia Metropolitan Daniil served a thanksgiving prayer service at the Patriarchal Cathedral Church of St George the Great Martyr in the Fener borough of Istanbul on Thursday. The thanksgiving service formed part of Patriarch Daniil’s first peaceful visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Patriarch Daniil and the accompanying church delegation were welcomed at the entrance by His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, as well as by metropolitans and clergy who are members of the Patriarchal Court.

Following the thanksgiving service led by Patriarch Daniil, a prayer rite was performed, after which the official reception of Patriarch Daniil by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew took place, along with members of the Holy Synod, in the Throne Hall of the Patriarchate.

The Patriarchal Church of St George the Victorious is one of the most important churches in Constantinople. Originally, the church was part of an Orthodox convent, which was later converted into a patriarchal residence by Patriarch Matthew II (1598–1601). The church was reconstructed around 1614 by Patriarch Timothy II (1612–1620). In 1720, it was destroyed by fire and completely rebuilt during the tenure of Patriarch Jeremiah III (1716–1726). Restoration work was also carried out in 1836 under Patriarch Gregory VI (1835–1840), as well as during the tenure of the current Patriarch, Bartholomew.

According to tradition, the patriarchal throne in the church originally belonged to the renowned Patriarch of Constantinople, St John Chrysostom (398–404). The throne is four metres high, made of Greek walnut wood, and inlaid with ivory, natural precious stones and coloured wood. According to tradition, the pulpit in the church also belonged to St John Chrysostom, although an inscription on its inner side indicates that it was made in 1703, during the time of Patriarch Gabriel III (1702–1707).

The Column of the Scourging of Christ is located at the south-eastern corner of the Patriarchal Church. It is part of the column to which Christ was bound and scourged by Roman soldiers during Holy Week, before His crucifixion. This column is one of the most valuable and ancient relics of the church.