621 The Path Of the Nation

As Antonius and the Ecumenical Patriarch ambled through the resplendent corridors of the Hagia Sophia, the ambient glow of the setting sun bathed the iconic mosaics and frescoes in golden light. Every corner seemed to whisper tales from the bygone era, and each step seemed to echo with the weight of history.

Anna, radiant with the promise of new life, chuckled softly, "Indeed, your Holiness remains as robust and spirited as I recall." Her fingers gently caressed her burgeoning belly, her face flushed, reflecting the warmth of her heart and the joy of impending motherhood.

Patriarch Gennadius II Scholarius, with the wisdom of years etched on his face, smiled kindly, "Child, I'm but a humble servant of the Lord, no different from many others in this grand city. It's the grace of the Almighty and a life dedicated to His teachings that keep me hale and hearty. A positive spirit is, after all, the elixir of health."