11 November 2018 in the Church of SS Constantine and Helena, located on the territory of the summer residence of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Istanbul, with the blessing of his Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill, served the hierarchical divine Liturgy, which made appointed by the decree of His Holiness the acting Abbot of the temple priest George Sergeev, said patriarhiei.
The service was attended by Consul General of Russia in Istanbul A. L. Podyachev, the members and compatriots living in Istanbul and its surroundings.
In the litany of fervent supplication was proclaimed a petition to preserve the unity of Orthodoxy, and prayer for peace in Ukraine. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the First world war at the memorial litany was committed the memorial of chiefs and warriors fallen on the battlefield.
At the end of the Liturgy, the priest Georgy addressed the congregation with welcoming speech and gave them the blessing of his Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill. The priest noted that the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of October 15, 2018 on the impossibility of Eucharistic communion with Constantinople, Patriarchate reason of gross violation of the canons on his part, the Russian-speaking Orthodox Christians residing in Turkey, sent numerous appeals to the Moscow Patriarchate with a request for their pastoral care. The appointment of a rector and start regular divine services in the historic Russian Embassy Church in Istanbul became a manifestation of care of the Russian Orthodox Church of its children residing on Turkish soil.
After the service a meeting was held of a priest with the representatives of the Russian-speaking Diaspora in Turkey.
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The temple of the Holy equal to the apostles Constantine and Helena was built in 1832 on the site of the summer residence of the Embassy of the Russian Empire. After the revolution it was closed, in the room of the temple was placed a boiler room. By 2009 on the territory of the summer residence has undergone a major repair and restoration work, including a renovated Church.
July 6, 2009 his Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and his Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill performed the rite of consecration of the small temple.