Final Remarks
by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I
at an Academic Convocation at
St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary
Saturday, October 25, 1997
Ecumenical Patriarch: Thank you very much indeed. I have a small momento to present to the seminary. This is a chalice from Constantinople, from the Mother Church. ... In communion of faith, of prayers, of sacraments.
Choir: Espolla ... !
Fr. Hopko: Thank you very much, words can't express my gratitude.
Metropolitan THEODOSIUS:
(see printed text)
(presentation of Order of St. Innocent)
(presentation of icon of St. Innocent)
Ecumenical Patriarch: Dearly Beloved Vladyko THEODOSIUS, brother and concelebrant in Christ, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the manifestations of your genuinely fraternal love towards my humble person, and through me towards my Church, the Mother Church of Constatninople.
I thank the seminary because you took the initiative to translate the book of Olivier Clément [Conversations with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I] containing some thoughts of mine, some dialogues with him; and especially I would like to thank Prof. Paul Meyendorff for having undertaken the responsibility and the labor of the translation.
Your Eminence, Vladyko THEODOSIUS, I thank you for your very kind words through which and through your expectations you have put a heavy responsibility on my weak shoulders but I shall try to do my best. (Applause)
Metropolitan THEODOSIUS (in the background): I know, with the help of God, you will.
Ecumenical Patriarch: This is for the icon of St. Vladimir. To be used here in front of the icon of St. Vladimir.
Fr. Hopko: Thank you.
Ecumenical Patriarch: I thank all of you.
Choir: Polykronion . . . !
Metropolitan THEODOSIUS: The extraordinary convocation of St. Vladimir's Theological Seminary has come to a close. Go in peace.
Choir: O Lord save Thy people . . .
Transcribed from an unofficial tape