On Sunday morning, September 8, 2013, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and his honorable entourage departed by car to the see of the Diocese of Pärnu and Saare.

The Patriarch was received at the entrance to the Cathedral of the Transfiguration in Pärnu by the local bishop, His Grace Alexander with his reverend clergy and pious faithful. There followed the Divine Liturgy commemorating the Birth of the Theotokos, presided over by the Patriarch and concelebrated by Archbishop Leo of Karelia and All Finland, Metropolitan Stephanos of Tallinn and All Estonia, Geron Metropolitan Athanasios of Chalcedon, Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, Bishop Ilias of Tartu, Bishop Alexander of Pärnu and Saare, and Bishop Arsenios of Joensuu. During the Divine Liturgy, His All-Holiness ordained Deacon Christophoros Parts to the priesthood, while also exchanging addresses with the local Bishop Alexander at the conclusion of the service.

Immediately afterward, at the recommendation of His Eminence Metropolitan Stephanos, the Patriarch bestowed the honorable title of Archon Protomaistor to the renowned composer and faithful member of the Orthodox Church, Mr. Arvo Pärt, while bestowing the title of Archon Referendarius to the grand benefactor of the Autonomous Church, Mr. Viljo Vettik and the highest award of St. Plato to Mr. Tŏnis Joarand.

In attendance at the Divine Liturgy were the Ambassadors of Greece and Finland in Estonia, the Mayor of Pärnu, Mr. Toomas Kivimägi, and Archbishop Andres Pŏder of the Estonian Lutheran Church.

At noon, His All-Holiness was guest at a lunch organized in his honor by the Cathedral parish, attended by the above-mentioned Hierarchs, the new Archons of the Great Church of Christ, the aforesaid Ambassadors and many distinguished members of the local community. During the luncheon, the Patriarch was duly addressed by the newly-ordained presbyter and the new Archon, Mr. Arvo Pärt, who concluded with the moving tribute: “Your All-Holiness, we breathe with your prayers!”

In the afternoon, the Patriarch attended a concert with church and traditional music with instrumental groups from the regions of Vändra, Värska, and Seto. At the end, he spoke to the large audience and praised the members of the musical groups for their efforts to preserve the local musical and dance traditions.

In the evening, the Patriarch attended a formal dinner at his hotel, the Ammende Villa, with the presence, among others, of the Honorable Mayors of Pärnu and of Sindi, Mr. Μarko Šorin, the Premier of Pärnu, Mr. Andres Metsoja, Her Excellency the Parliamentarian, Ms. Annely Akkermann, wife of the new Archon, the City Presidents of the local region, as well as numerous business leaders and distinguished personalities of the Pärnu district.

During the meal, addresses were offered, in order, by the new Archon, Mr. Viljo Vettik, His Eminence Metropolitan Stephanos of Tallinn and All Estonia (who outlined the historical journey of the local Autonomous Church), and the Mayor of Pärnu (who highlighted the ecological initiatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and handed the city key to His All-Holiness). In response, the Patriarch expressed his gratitude for this honor and recalled impressions from his three Patriarchal visits to Estonia and the ecological ministry of the Ecumenical Throne, especially remembering the International Environmental Symposium organized several years ago in the Baltic Sea.