It was a joyous day for the Orthodox Christians of Smyrna, as the consecration of Erythrae Bishop Cyrillus was the first since 1922.
The consecration rite was performed by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in a holy liturgy where several hierarchs and clergy participated.
The new bishop of Erythrae, Cyrillus, hails from Kydonies (Ayvalik) of Asia Minor. According to the Constantinople Patriarchate, he has done a remarkable job for the reconstitution of the Orthodox community as a priest.
The Greek government was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Amanatidis, State Minister Terrence Quick, President of the Centrists Union Vassilis Leventis, Ambassador of Greece in Ankara Kyriakos Loukakis, Consul General in Istanbul Evangelos Sekeris, Consul General in Izmir Argiro Papoulia.
The Ecumenical Patriarch emphasized that during his ministering in the Smyrna Orthodox Community, Cyrillus won “the love of Christians there, the trust of local authorities, the respect of the citizens of Smyrna.”
On his part, the new Erythrae Bishop stressed that the work of the Ecumenical Patriarchate under Bartholomew has contributed to the “Asia Minor miracle.”
Source: eu.greekreporter.com