King Pie Cutting Ceremony

In the packed hall of Galata City School on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, the traditional cutting of the Vasilopita took place 
jointly organized by the Board of Trustees of Galata City School and the Boards of Directors of the Associations for the Support of Roman Community Institutions and Peadoupoli Protis, 
under the auspices of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in collaboration with the Holy Diocese of Neapolis and Stavroupolis. 

The event was dedicated to the venerable Ekaterini Stanits, who for many years offered her services to the Board of Directors of Paidoupolis on the island of Protis.

In addition to this event, the Ecumenical Patriarch Mr. Bartholomew invited High School students, University students along with working young people from the Community 

and Greece in a festive meeting. 

The event was opened with her speech by Ms. Mary Komorosano, President of the Ephorate of Galata Municipal School welcoming the audience, referring to Ekaterini Stanits 

and in her contribution to the Community, and to the under-founding Cultural Center of Romiosynis, which will be formed at the School.

Then the floor was taken by Ms. Rika Robopoulou, daughter of the deceased, who was clearly moved, spoke about her mother and her contribution to Paidoupoli. 

The floor was then taken by Mr. Antonis Parizianos, President of SYRKI who spoke about the custom of Vasilopita and about this year's pleasant presence of the young volunteers of OI.OM.KO. 

who sang carols in the neighborhoods, homes and institutions of the Rum community. 

The children went up to the stage and Mrs. Alexandra Morosidou spoke on their behalf about the pleasure they have singing carols and getting to know the Community of Istanbul 

and they sang the carols of Chios. This was followed by songs from the women's choir "Agia Kassiani the Hymnographer" under the direction of Maria Charalambidou 

and the projection of slides with the title "The Patriarch's autobiography" and "Hospitality of children of the Homogenia in the Camp of the I. Metropolis of Neapolis and Stavroupolis". 

Homogeneous students from higher educational institutions received the annual scholarships granted by the Church Communities  

and the floor was taken by the Ecumenical Patriarch Mr. Bartholomeos who wished the young people of the Community to continue the work of their ancestors, 

referred to the life and personality of Ekaterini Stanits and thanked the active volunteers of IOMKO who came to share them with Omogenia during these festive days. 

Finally, the patriarchal custom of cutting the Vasilopita was observed, which, together with his blessings, the Ecumenical Patriarch distributed to those present.

The event was attended by Hierarchs, the Ambassador Mr. Evangelos Sekeris, Consul General of Greece in Istanbul, Archons Officials of M.t.X.E., community actors and a number of Homogenes.