Following his morning meeting with Speaker Mike Johnson, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church, Virginia for a welcome Doxology and blessing of the faithful.
Though clouds and a consistent drizzle marked the day, spirits were high as the parish’s children gathered outside the church wearing traditional Greek clothing, bearing flowers, and waving Ecumenical Patriarchate flags to welcome His All-Holiness. Dozens of hierarchs and clergy were also in attendance to mark this Apostolic Visit’s first parish visit.
At the conclusion of the service His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America offered a welcome to the Ecumenical Patriarch and the faithful on behalf of the Archdiocese, expressing his hope that as the “devoted and dedicated children of the Mother Church of Constantinople,” U.S. faithful will demonstrate for His All-Holiness that they are fulfilling their “Orthodox Christian vocation to live according to Christ.”
Also participating in the service was His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, as well as clergy from the Metropolis and parish.
Photos by Orthodox Observer/Brittainy Newman
