Phanar's Throne

As Stamboul is the native section of Constantinople, so Phanar is the Greek section of Stamboul. In Phanar have lived for 200 years Greek families who have kept aloof from Turks and other Asiatics. In Phanar are the throne and palace of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, most notable prelate of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Since Thursday of last week a new Patriarch has sat on Phanar's throne. He is Gregory VII.

From the village of Chalcedon, on the Asiatic shore, Gregory VII crossed over to Phanar in a caique, accompanied by the Archbishops of Brusa and New Caesarea. Where the marble steps of the Ecumenical palace go down to the waters of the Bosphorus, he was met by the Metropolitans of Nicaea and of Cyzicus. Taking his arms they led him to the palace gate. The chief secretary of the Holy Synod read him the canon of election. The Archbishop of Caesarea gave him the pastoral staff.

Thence, in the care of four legates* Gregory VII strode through the palace to the throne of St. John Chrysostom, the silver-tongued. He put on his gold cope and mitre, ascended the throne, read his first official address, received congratulations. At high noon he went to a reception in the great room of the Phanar palace, crowded with diplomats and priests.

*Representatives of the Patriarchs of Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Belgrade.