ISTANBUL
Istanbul’s Fener Greek Patriarchate hosted the sacred oil Myron ceremony, a once-in-a-decade ritual that has symbolic importance for the Orthodox world.
The ceremony, which was led by Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew, was attended by senior Greek officials, the Turkish Armenian patriarch, diplomatic mission representatives and domestic and foreign tourists.
The Myron oil, or the Holy Chrism, was brought to the Aya Yorgi Church in silver jugs. Bartholomew blessed the oil with prayers and rituals.
Fifty-seven different ingredients were brought in from monasteries across the world and olive oil was used to produce the oil used in baptisms and several sacraments.
The Myron oil, which was produced in three days, will be bottled and sent to Orthodox churches around the world, if needed.
*Writing by Gozde Bayar
