I got this rare opportunity to visit the area in Istanbul called Fener. This place is not so much frequented by tourists but if one is interested enough to learn about the history of the Orthodox Church one would consider this place a must. If Vatican is for Catholics, the Cathedral of St. George in Fener, Istanbul is the Vatican of the Orthodox Church because it is the Cathedral of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Patriarch Bartholomew I. St. George is not really impressive at a glance because of its smallness and the cramp area. But on a deeper level this Cathedral is impressive and highly charged with spirituality, faith and hope. The church contains important relics of saints and mementos of the Orthodox Church. The Church also holds the relics of the pillar of flagellation. Believed to be the pillar where Christ was flagged by Pilate's servants. I also got the rare opportunity to meet the Patriarch in person. I went to the Cathedral simply to visit and it was late afternoon. I inquired from the guard as to the schedule of the liturgies where the patriarch were to preside and he told me that the patriarch is busy and the only time I could see him was at that very moment. Feeling lucky I immediately get into the Church and there to my surprise and delight, the Patriarch was leading the vespers. It was only me and one Greek family in attendance and the monks. I stood at the nave and immediately one of the priests in a hospitable gesture invited me to sit on the upholstered seats. After the service, as customary we lined up to kiss the hands of the Patriarch and he gave us some mementos. As Patriarch Bartholomew was leaving I managed to strike a brief conversation with him and he was delighted to know that I was a Catholic and I came from the Philippines. He remembered fondly his visit to the Philippines way back in 2000 when he was invited to consecrate the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Assumption in Manila. I also managed to request a photograph with the Patriarch.
