Celebration of 150 Years since the graduation of the Great Benefactor Stefanos Karatheodoris & 180 Years since the construction of I.N. Panagia Koumariotissis.

The completion of the 150th anniversary of the death of the late Stefanos Karatheodoris, which coincided with the completion of the 180th anniversary of the construction of the First Church of Panagia Koummariotissa in Nichori Bosphorus, was the reason for the events on May 6-7, 2017.

The Roman Community of Neochorio - Bosphorus together with the Municipality of Orestias, the place of origin of the doctor and a great benefactor of the community since he was the one who secured the permission to build the First Church of Panagia Koummariotissa, which he financially supported, organized an even two-day event on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May 2017. 


 

On Saturday afternoon, a High Priestly trisage was held under the Most Reverend Metropolitan Myriofytos and Peristaseos, Mr. Irenaios, at the monument of Konstantinos Karatheodoris in the courtyard of the Church of Agios Nikolaos, followed by the Great Vespers at the Church of Panagia Koummariotissa.  Afterwards, the invited guests gathered in the courtyard of the church where a reception followed and then the start of the work of the Conference in the I. Church of Agios Georgios Neochorio, Metochi Holy Sepulcher in the presence of A.P.Th. of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.


 

 The day started with the greeting of the President of the Community Arch.  Mr. Lakis Viga, who through it expressed his gratitude not only to the well-known personalities but also to the "invisible workers of the Rum community" who contributed to the progress of the community. This was followed by the welcome of the Mayor of Sariyer Mr. Şükrü Genç and the Mayor of Orestiada Mr. Vasilios Mavridis. Followed by the recommendations of Dr. Mr. Pavlou Pilavakis "A Greek Family in the Ottoman Empire", Mr. Stefanos Geroulanos "Stephanos Caratheodory, 150th anniversary", Mr. Ekmeleddin Mehmet İhsanoğlu "Orthodox Physician and Scholars in Ottoman Court" and finally the Honorary Ambassador Mr. Alexis Alexandris "The neo – Phanariot Greek ascendancy in Ottoman diplomacy (1839 - 1912)". The evening ended with a formal dinner. 

On Sunday, a High Priestly Divine Liturgy was held in the I. Church of Panagia Koumariotissa officiated by the Metropolitan of Didymoteichos, Orestias and Souflios Mr. Damascenes and congregant from the Holy Step of the Ecumenical Patriarch and followed by a patriarchal trisago in the square under the monument of Stefanos Karatheodoris. The events concluded with the unveiling of the bust of Stefanos Karatheodoris, from the A.P.Th. the Ecumenical Patriarch Mr. Bartholomew, which was designed by the sculptor Mr. Stathis Alexopoulos and the unveiling was followed by a reception with a dance and musical performance by the members of the Cultural Association of Nea Vyssa "Stefanos Karatheodoris". 

The festivities were attended by Exohot. Ambassador Consul General of Greece in Istanbul, Mr. Evangelos Sekeris, the Mayor of Orestia, Mr. Vasilios Mavridis, accompanied by the Deputy Mayors, Mr. Christos Ormanlides, Ioannis Peristerakis, Sarantis Bakhtsevanidis and members of the Board of Directors, the Dean of the School of Agriculture and Forestry of the University of Athens. Professor Mr. Spyridon Koutroubas, the High Priestly Commissioner of Orestias Archim. Mr. Bartholomeos Asteriadis, the President and the members of the Cultural Association of Vyssa "Stefanos Karatheodoris", the President and the members of the Association of the Historical and Folklore Museum of Orestias, representatives of the communities, etc. distinguished guests.