EDITOR’S NOTE (Markos). Sadly, the Synod of Constantinople increasingly appears to be degenerating into a group of individuals who compete against each other to see who can “kiss up” to a Patriarch the most. And in exchange for what? Worldly promotions and vainglorious fame? We all remember Elpidophoros’ outrageous (anti-Orthodox) proclamation that the bishop of Constantinople should be considered “primus sine paribus” (first without equals). A few years later, the Patriarch consented to promote him to Archbishop of GOARCH. Metropolitan Emmanuel was the “architect” behind the Ukrainian “tomos”, playing into the Uniate geopolitical chessboard, and he was “elevated” to Metropolitan of Chalcedon (traditionally the runner-up to the Patriarchate)…
Phanar bishop: No Hagia Sophia, but a “living icon” – Patriarch Bartholomew
Archbishop Elpidophoros said that the loss of Hagia Sophia is compensated for the faithful by the figure of the head of the Phanar, whom he called a living icon.
Archbishop Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis), head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America under the Patriarchate of Constantinople, has issued an encyclical for Hagia Sophia Remembrance Day, observed by the Phanar on July 24. The text was published on the archdiocese’s official website.
The hierarch noted that this year marks six years since the church was, in his words, appropriated “for an alien purpose.” He acknowledged that the Trinity is no longer glorified within Hagia Sophia’s walls, but said its presence continues to shine through its “spiritual counterpart” – the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Elpidophoros framed the central message of his encyclical as follows: “And though we are deprived of the structure of Hagia Sophia, we have, in the sacred person of His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, a living icon of all She represents.”
The archbishop described the Phanar head’s ministry as “the longest in the history of the Church” and as “a shining reflection of the Great Church,” carried out “often at great sacrifice and even in the face of opposition from Christian brethren pursuing alien purposes.” The text does not specify which fellow Christians with alien aims the hierarch had in mind.
In the encyclical, the Phanar itself is called a “Sacred Lighthouse” and a “polished mirror” for all Christians, in which they can see to what extent their actions reflect the will of God.
Elpidophoros urged the faithful to observe Hagia Sophia Remembrance Day “not as those with no hope,” saying that their hope should be placed in the Mother Church of Constantinople and personally in the head of the Phanar, “whose humble greatness reflects the glory of the Great Church of Christ.”
As previously reported by the UOJ, the liturgical status of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople was changed in the summer of 2020. On July 10, Turkey’s Council of State annulled the 1934 decision that had converted the church into a museum, and on July 24 the first Muslim prayer service in 86 years was held there.
In the first years after the change, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America referred to July 24 as a Day of Mourning, and its encyclicals called for efforts to secure at least the restoration of the building’s museum status. In recent editions, the wording has been changed to the more neutral Day of Remembrance, while the emphasis has shifted from demands directed at Ankara to praise of the Patriarchate itself.
Patriarch Bartholomew has headed the See of Constantinople since 1991.
This is sickening. Thank you for revealing this.
The “living icon” got 15 millions only for the Ukraine autocephaly! Is he thinking he will take the money with him when he dies?
“Archbishop Elpidophoros said that the loss of Hagia Sophia is compensated for the faithful by the figure of the head of the Phanar, whom he called a living icon.”
Some deal (and who made it?). Can we do “trade backsies” ??
The priesthood is a living icon of Christ. That’s why we kiss the priest’s hand.
Bartholomew is anything but. The most sinful and heretic Patriarch in memory and likely in Orthodox history. The Turks (and the CIA) have a thick folder of all his “tresspasses” and they blackmail him constantly – and along with blackmailing him they control in a substantial way the Hellenic Diaspora around the globe…
I remind you that after the Paris “Bulgarian Gay Escorts” scandals the faithful REFUSED to kiss Emmanuel’s and Maximos’ hands… Does this say anything to you?
Nick, I’m trying not to think too deeply on your last sentence. Point taken however.
Better not to think about the details of the sinful acts Old Bart has accumulated over the years…
Joseph,
Is that why Bishops and priests of the Constantinople Synod are frequently seen all over youtube videos “kissing the Pope’s hand”? Because they believe the Pope is a better or more valid “living icon of Christ” than Orthodox clergy are? Or is it because they didn’t read what the Canons say about “obtaining a blessing from heretics”? Please entertain us a bit more with this “diversional nonsense”…
Elpidophoros is only placating the Turkish authorities who will have to consent to a future Patriarch with his rhetoric on St. Sophia, and simultaneously he is simply capitalizing on another opportunity to “kiss up” to Bartholomew with “words of flattery”.
And the only “living icon” that Bartholomew will be remembered as in the future, is the famous photograph of Bartholomew standing “live” in front of the controversial iconography that depicts himself on the walls of St. Nicholas at ground zero in lower Manhattan…
The rest of his legacy is marred with corruption, promotion of the Uniate & Ecu-fe-menist agendas, and Schism of the Orthodox Church.
Markos, sure, I’m willing to entertain your diversion, even though it may seem nonsensical to some.
I am not aware of Patriarch Bartholomew kissing the Pope’s hand. Maybe you could provide evidence? I know that Pope Francis kissed Patriarch Bartholomew’s hand, but the Patriarch did not return the gesture, instead kissing the Pope on the head. Kissing on the head (usually on the cheek), after all, is a common greeting and especially for Greeks and Italians. We are all made in the image of God after all. Yet this was certainly an awkward and impromptu moment, and it seems that it took the Patriarch by surprise.
Nonetheless, it is well known that kissing the Pope’s hand was done by the current Patriarch of Serbia, Porfirije, and he even defended this as Patriarch, saying:
“People told me that I’m a traitor of the Orthodox Church, but I had my own, personal reason why I kissed his hand. I do not consider that I have betrayed anyone or anything by that act. And I think I acted in the spirit of the Gospel.”
https://orthodoxtimes.com/patriarch-of-serbia-i-had-my-own-reason-why-i-kissed-popes-hand/
Joseph – here is your complete answer…
https://www.helleniscope.com/2026/07/31/patriarchs-popes-and-mutual-kisses-when-is-the-line-crossed/
And as for Patriarch Porphyrii, he can ask the opinion of the 1+ million of ethnic Serbs that were “cleansed” from the Kraina region of Croatia by their “Roman Catholic brethren” what they think about his statement on if anyone was betrayed or not…
From what I understand, it doesn’t appear they are calling him “Axios” for his decision…
If I’d be given a choice who to see, Bart or Sophia, I’d say Sophia. If I’d be invited to go meet Bart close by, I’d just stay home. Not worth even a second of my time.
Barf! Hey, wait a minute…Barf-tholomew! That works!