Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew attended the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at the Church of Saint Sophrony the Athonite at the Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Saint John the Baptist in Essex, England.
Among those attending were Metropolitan Elder Dimitrios of the Princes’ Islands, Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria and Metropolitan Joachim of Lampi, Syvritos and Sfakia, who are accompanying the Ecumenical Patriarch during his visit.
Also present were Bishop Maximos of Melitene, representing Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain; the monastery’s Abbot, Archimandrite Peter; Cyprus Consul Pieros Pieri; and a large number of faithful and friends of the monastery from across Britain.
Archimandrite Peter welcomed Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the entrance of the monastery’s main church and later addressed him.
In his remarks, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his emotion at returning to the monastery founded by Saint Sophrony the Athonite.
Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his emotion at returning to the Essex monastery and visiting the tomb of its founder, Saint Sophrony, whom he described as a major patristic theologian and ascetic of the modern era.
He said Saint Sophrony’s wisdom and spiritual zeal led him to establish the monastery on British soil as a continuation of the ancient monastic tradition of the British Isles.
The Patriarch recalled a number of early saints associated with Christianity and monasticism in Britain and Ireland, including Saints Ninian, Columba, Brendan, Gildas, Patrick and Brigid, noting that many of these figures are now little known in the wider Orthodox world.
According to Patriarch Bartholomew, the Monastery of Saint John the Baptist represents “an organic continuation” of this ancient tradition, while combining it with the contemporary Athonite experience and its connection with the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
He described the monastery as a spiritual center whose influence extends well beyond Essex, attracting people of different backgrounds who come in search of spiritual guidance.
“Our place as Christians is not simply beside the Cross”
Referring to the recent feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Ecumenical Patriarch said the Church places the Cross at the center of its worship as a fundamental part of Christian salvation.
“Our place as Christians is not simply ‘beside the Cross,’ but ‘in the Cross’ and ‘on the Cross,’” he said. “Christian life without the Cross is completely inconceivable.”
He added that this calling is particularly visible in monastic life and recalled the words of Saint Sophrony: “We monks are crucified beside the crucified Christ.”
Patriarch Bartholomew stressed that the Cross and Resurrection cannot be separated in Christian life, noting that Christ’s glory includes both His Resurrection and His Cross.
Reference to the Ecumenical Patriarchate
The Patriarch also spoke about the experience of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, describing the Mother Church of Constantinople as sharing in this experience of the Cross and Resurrection throughout its history.
He called on the monastic community to remain committed to the same witness and stressed that the Cross of Christ remains the central source of Christian hope and proclamation.
Concluding his address, Patriarch Bartholomew recalled a letter Saint Sophrony sent shortly before his death, asking the Ecumenical Patriarch to continue caring for the monastery and its community.
Patriarch Bartholomew said that this request had been honored and assured the monks and nuns of the continuing care and support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
He concluded by offering his blessing to the brotherhood and sisterhood, the monastery and all those who support or visit it, while also referring to the close relationship between the monastery and Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain.
On Saturday afternoon, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and his delegation visited the tomb of Saint Sophrony.
The Patriarch also attended Great Vespers, which was presided over by Metropolitan Elder Dimitrios of the Princes’ Islands.
On Sunday afternoon, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew departed by air for Aberdeen, Scotland.
On Monday morning, he is scheduled to hold a private meeting with King Charles III at Balmoral Castle.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou
