Why Constantinople Called Me to Apply for the Pilgrimage

By 2026 Recipient: Matthew Delaney

For most of my life, when I thought about the roots of our faith, Jerusalem came to

mind. It is the natural starting point, the place of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection, the

center of the Gospel.

Over time, as I have grown in my understanding of the Church, it came to fruition that

the story does not end there. Truly, it is only the beginning.

There is another city that has come into focus, one that is equally critical to the life of

Christianity yet often overlooked: Constantinople.

Prior to educating myself, I didn’t fully grasp its significance. Known as the “Queen of

Cities,” Constantinople stands at the intersection of East and West, and according to

sacred tradition, its Church was founded by St. Andrew the Apostle. That alone

reframed how I saw it, not just as another location, but as a foundational part of the

living Church.

Every moment I studied, the clearer it became: this city helped shape the faith. It was a

center of theological development, ecclesiastical leadership, and Christian witness for

centuries. The influence it holds is not secondary, but rather it is essential.

Yet, in much of our everyday experience, especially in the United States, its importance

is not always recognized. We are more likely to hear about Rome than Constantinople,

more likely to reference what is familiar than what requires deeper understanding.

This gap matters because if we are serious about our faith, then we are also

responsible for knowing, preserving, and sharing it.

That is exactly why The Pilgrimage of Discovery stood out. The pilgrimage is not simply about travel, it is about formation. It challenges young Orthodox Christians to step into the reality of their faith’s history and to take ownership of it. It is an opportunity to move from passive awareness to active engagement. For me, applying for this pilgrimage is a deliberate decision. I want to stand in the places that shaped the Church. I yearn to witness firsthand the legacy of

Constantinople, now Istanbul, and better understand both its past and its present. And

just as importantly, I want to bring that experience back with me. Because leadership in the Church today requires more than familiarity; it requires conviction.

Istanbul is not just a city of the past. It is a city that continues to evolve. Its landmarks,

like Hagia Sophia, reflect centuries of transformation. History is complex, and at times

fragile. What has impacted me most is not just history. It is the presence of a faithful

community that continues to live, worship, and preserve this legacy against all odds.

That kind of witness demands a response.

We cannot dare to let this history become distant. If it fades from our awareness, it risks

fading from the world. Opportunities like this exist because there is a need—not for

participants, but for ambassadors. People who are willing to learn, to engage, and to

take responsibility for what they have received.

That is the role I am stepping into. If you are reading this, I would challenge you to think about your own place in the life of the Church. Will you remain a passive observer of its history, or will you take an active role in carrying it forward?

The Pilgrimage of Discovery is more than an experience. It is a call to leadership, to

awareness, and to deeper faith. It is an opportunity to be transformed, not just for your

own sake, but for the sake of the communities you will return to.