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Virgin Mary of the Bees Venerated in Constantinople
On September 8, 2025 students from the Zografeion School in Constantinople along with school director and Greek community president Mr. Giannis Demintzoglou venerated the holy icon, "Virgin Mary of the Bees" at the historic church dedicated to the Theotokos' nativity. The divine liturgy was followed by by traditional music and dance bringing generations together.
On June 10, 2025, Ambelli was honoured to present Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with the holy icon "Virgin Mary of the Bees" following the Vesper services commemorating Apostle Bartholomew. The gift was presented to honour the Green Patriarch's pivotal role in promoting environmental consciousness.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Receives Special Gift on Feast Day
In collaboration with Act4V, Greek youth from Trikala joined an intercultural exchange program collaborating with peers from Italy, France and Belgium to culture and memory through dance. A particular focus was placed on the migrant experience with the Greek delegation focusing on the traditions and history of Greeks from Asia Minor, their plight and persecution and their resilience to the present day.
European Youth Celebrate Culture and Memory through Dance
On the evening of September 26, the legacy of Ioannis Kapodistrias was commemorated at the War Museum in Athens. Elder George of Mount Athos and international film director and academic, Yiannis Smaragdis, provided an enlightened and invigorating vista into the life and contributions of Greece's greatest statesmen and political saint - Ioannis Kapodistrias.
Ioannis Kapodistrias, Modern Greece's First Governor, Honored at Unique Event
This is the space to introduce the Services section. Briefly describe the types of services offered and highlight any special benefits or features. Encourage site visitors to learn more by exploring the full list of services offered.
Service Name
This is the space to introduce the Services section. Briefly describe the types of services offered and highlight any special benefits or features. Encourage site visitors to learn more by exploring the full list of services offered.
Service Name
Byzantine Concert
On May 27, 2025, Ambelli, in collaboration with the Ephorate of Antiquities of Trikala, hosted a captivating Byzantine concert titled “ANATOLI – Honeyed Chants and Divine Melodies” in the courtyard of the historic Osman Shah Mosque in Trikala. Held as part of the Green Cultural Routes 2025 initiative and inspired by World Bee Day, the event blended nature and culture through enchanting Byzantine music performed by the Papastathi Music School and the Cultural Association of Petrochori.
In celebration of World Bee Day, Ambelli organized bee-friendly planting activities in York, UK with Saint Constantine's Antiochian Church, in Istanbul, Turkey in collaboration with Holy Church of Saint Constantine and Saint Helen and in Trikala, Greece in partnership with ACT 4V and the local municipality. Children, youth, and citizens planted trees, learned about biodiversity and the critical role of bees. The event also incorporated the veneration of the icon Virgin Mary of the Bees which also took place in Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, and the USA. The initiative is part of the broader Beezantium project.
World Bee Day Celebrations
On May 11, 2025, an academic lecture was held at Saint Constantine and Saint Helen Orthodox Church to commemorate the establishment of Constantinople on May 11, 330. The engaging lecture was delivered by Professor Koray Durak, of Boğaziçi University and was entitled "Constantinople's Foundation: Realities and Myths". The event was preceded by public veneration of the holy icon Virgin Mary of the Bees and the Divine Liturgy.
Academic Lecture on Constantinople
Ambelli and the Byzantine Cultural Centre "Virgin Mary of the Bees" donated an exact replica of the holy icon, Virgin Mary of the Bees, to the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The icon was the official gift of Greece to the French Republic to celebrate the re-opening of the Cathedral! The gesture was inspired by the guidance and vision of Elder George Alevras of Mount Athos as a sign of enduring friendship and solidarity with the people of France!
Virgin Mary of the Bees arrives at Notre-Dame de Paris
Our soup kitchen continues to operate delivering nutritious meals to flood victims, and the economically vulnerable. We received more than 60 kilos of fresh fruits and 800 eggs from local farmers! Community donations along with a generous grant from the TIMA Charitable Foundation, have been amazing sources of support -
Thank You!
Feeding the less fortunate
Ambelli was pleased to donate critical supplies to Trikala's "Saint Nicholas Home for the Elderly" addressing important needs for their twenty-five residents aged 70 - 90+ impacted by floods. The residence is the only home for the elderly in the broader Trikala region. Many thanks to the TIMA Charitable Foundation and Human Plus for their support!
Saint Nicholas Home for the Elderly
Intergenerational Summer
The young and young at heart joined forces over the summer months to support our community farm sharing laughter, positive energy, and the tricks of the trade. The activities mingled hard work with joyful playfulness. Surely, nothing beats different generations working together to honour the community and the traditions of our land!
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We continue to support elderly flood victims and their households by bringing delicious meals and social support straight to their front door. They open their homes to us and we humbly learn about their lives, ongoing needs and resolve to move forward.
A special thank you to the TIMA Foundation for their financial support!
Lending a helping hand to flood victims
For a second year in a row, Ambelli will be harvesting olives during the last week of October and then taking them to the oil press to make oil. Last year, volunteer turnout was incredible and we're hoping to beat that record this year. The olive harvest is a great opportunity to come together, learn about sustainable farming and pitch in for the greater good. Interested in helping out? We'd love to hear from you. The olive oil will be donated to low-income families and households.
Open Call for Volunteers
Get ready for a deep dive into local Byzantine treasures and the critical role bees play in a healthy ecosystem. This project will also invite attendees to uncover the fascinating story behind the icon of the Virgin Mary of the Bees and embed sustainable practices in their community. Thank you to the Headley South East Europe Cultural Heritage Fund for their financial support. Stay tuned for more info!