Timothy of Thessaloniki: On the evening of Wednesday, August 12, 2026, the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, Mr. Timothy, presided over the Vespers service and the Holy Paraklesis to the Most Holy Theotokos, at the Holy Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Muzaki.
During the service, special reference was made to the liturgical order of the day, as the Vespers of the Apodosis of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord was celebrated, followed by the chanting of the Holy Paraklesis to the Most Holy Theotokos.
In his sermon, he spoke about the importance of the intercession of the Panagia and the Saints and how it is connected to the mystery of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He emphasized that Christ is the only true Mediator between God and men, as He is both perfect God and perfect man. Through His incarnation, He took on human nature and became like us, without ceasing to be God, so that He could fully understand the human condition and achieve the salvation of man.
Within this mystery, the Panagia occupies a special place, as the Incarnation of the Son of God took place through her own free consent. With her "behold the handmaid of the Lord," she accepted the will of God and offered herself to the service of the plan of the divine economy for the salvation of man. Thus, she who became the Mother of the Lord becomes, by the grace of God, the Mother of all Christians.
The intercession of the Theotokos, as emphasized, is a gift from God to her. For this reason, the faithful run to the Panagia with confidence, calling upon her as their Mother and seeking her intercessions to the Lord. The same applies to the Saints of the Church, who, having lived Christ and having been led to holiness through the grace of God, can intercede for mankind.
The honor given to the Panagia and the Saints, therefore, does not distance man from Christ, but leads him to Him. Holiness is not a human achievement, but a fruit of the grace of God, to which the Saints responded with their entire lives.
At the same time, reference was made to the fact that the Panagia, during the Annunciation, did not disbelieve the Angel's message. She asked how the event would take place, but without denying the will of God. Through her obedience and full dedication, she became a co-worker in the plan of the divine economy for the salvation of man.
In conclusion, he emphasized that turning to the Panagia and invoking her intercessions cannot be an occasional act. Man is called to live Christ constantly and to be within the Church not occasionally, but steadily and consciously, through prayer, faith, spiritual struggle, confession, regular participation in the sacramental life, and a way of life in accordance with the will of God.
The Panagia, the Mother of the Lord and Mother of Christians, remains for the Church a model of faith, obedience, and complete dedication to God. As the great feast of her Dormition and her Assumption into heaven approaches, the Church calls the faithful to turn with faith to her intercession and, following her example, to live with Christ at the center.