site.btaBulgarian St Stephen Church in Istanbul Brings Together Orthodox Christians to Celebrate Resurrection of Christ

The Bulgarian St Stephen Church in Istanbul, also known as the Iron Church, teemed with worshippers on Saturday evening who gathered to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.

A paschal service was also held at the Church of St John of Rila, located in the Exarchate House, on Holy and Great Saturday.

The Easter service at St Stephen Church was officiated by Bishop Tihon of Tiveriopol, who had traveled from Bulgaria, along with Archimandrite Haralampiy Nichev, priest of the Bulgarian churches in Turkiye, and other Bulgarian clergy. The service was accompanied by hymns sung by the choir of the Bulgarian community in Istanbul.

Among the attendees were Dimitri Yotef, Chairman of the Foundation of the Orthodox Churches of the Bulgarian Exarchate in Istanbul, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and guests from Bulgaria.

Turkish broadcaster NTV reported that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople led the Easter service at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which was also attended by dignitaries and officials. Christians in the cities of Hatay, Samandag, Mersin, and Edirne also marked the Resurrection of Christ with services, prayers, and candle lighting, NTV reported.