Published December 07,2023
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A ceremony was held in southern Türkiye on Wednesday marking the anniversary of the loss of life of Saint Nicholas, or “Noel Baba” in Turkish.
It was presided over by Bartholomew I of Istanbul’s Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate on the Saint Nicholas Memorial Museum and Church in Demre district in Antalya province.
Saint Nicholas is believed to have died on Dec. 6 within the 4th century AD.
Speaking on the occasion, Bartholomew confused that the continuing wars within the Middle East and north of Türkiye have deeply affected all of humanity.
“We prayed for an immediate end to the wars and for the tearful people in both regions. We hope that mothers will no longer cry, children will no longer fear, young lives no longer wither away prematurely. Unfortunately, in the 21st century, issues such as war and displacement still emerge as the greatest problems facing humanity.”
He additionally thanked authorities officers and native authorities together with Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya for his or her permission and assist in organizing the ceremony.
Representatives from the Istanbul Patriarchate of Fener in addition to clergy from Greece and Türkiye participated within the ceremony together with quite a few Orthodox believers.
During the ceremony, Orthodox followers prayed and lit candles. It was noticed that many Russian and Ukrainian residents who attended the ceremony have been additionally praying on the identical time.
Source: www.anews.com.tr