“Today, from Alexandria, the city of Alexander the Great and Saint Mark, we raise our prayers to the Panagia, the Mother of us all, We ask her to wipe away the tears of children, comfort mothers who are suffering, protect the innocent, and enlighten the leaders of the world so that peace may prevail. The Panagia knows no borders or distinctions; her maternal embrace has room for every person and every nation.

“although they were forced to abandon their homes and possessions, many of those deported “travelled with Christ in their arms” through the icons they took with them, bearing witness to “an authentic faith and an extraordinary trust” in the face of tragic circumstances

“she helped many churches on Mount Athos, in Alexandria and Jerusalem, in those places where Christians were under Ottoman rule

Patriarch Daniel ›

The Patriarch

Direct quote

“with the Panagia as our guide, our protector, and our most loving Mother

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America ›

Archbishop

Direct quote

“They all took their icons with them. So that Christ would not be plundered, they took Him with them,

“Let us ask the Panagia to teach us to bring more Christ into our lives

“the current status quo serves as a guarantee of freedom of religion and the preservation of the Christian witness in the Holy Land

“every church dedicated to the Theotokos becomes “a little Gethsemane” on the Feast of the Dormition—a place of prayer, hope and consolation.