Ioannis of Edessa: With a massive turnout and ecclesiastical solemnity, the annual feast day of the historic holy church of the Dormition of the Mother of God (Metropolis) of Giannitsa was celebrated, during which the veneration of the holy relic of Saint David of Euboea took place.
On the eve of the feast (Friday, 14.8.2026), at 7:00 p.m., the Panegyric Vespers was celebrated, led by Archimandrite Nikodemos Kansizoglou, Synodal Preacher of the Holy Metropolis, who represented the Metropolitan of Edessa, Pella, and Almopia, Ioannis, and delivered the divine word, emphasizing first of all that the most difficult sermon is the one concerning the Panagia (the All-Holy), as closeness to Her is essential.
For this reason, he used characteristic examples from the life of Saint Joseph the Hesychast, who was distinguished by his special connection with the Panagia until the end of his life—indeed, She warned him of this with precision—and who considered the wavering of trust in the Panagia to be the greatest temptation of his many years of ascetic life.
He concluded his speech with the exhortation to ask the Most Holy Mother of God not to let us lose our trust in Her until the end of our lives.
At the end of Vespers, the customary procession of the historic icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God (1860) took place around the holy church, along with the blessing of the artos (blessed bread). At 10:00 p.m., the Small Apodeipnon and the hymns of the Dormition of the Mother of God were chanted before Her holy icon.
On the day of the feast, Saturday 15/8, the Matins service and the Panegyric Holy Liturgy were celebrated, presided over by the Metropolitan of Edessa, Ioannis.
In his sermon, His Eminence emphasized that the Fathers of our Church have addressed some of the most beautiful encomiums to the person of the Most Holy Mother of God. They called Her "heaven-reaching," meaning She is the one who succeeded in reaching heaven.
They called Her the icon of the entire Church and emphasized that without the Mother of God and without Him who proceeded from Her, no one can be saved. They also pointed out that only the use of Her name sanctifies man. Concluding his speech, His Eminence recommended that we strive to imitate Her as much as we can and to implore Her, so that She may grant us the grace of Her Son.
The holy services were attended by the parish priests and other clergy of the Holy Metropolis, while the presence of Pella Members of Parliament Mr. G. Karasmanis, D. Stamenitis, V. Vasiliadis, and Ms. Th. Tzakri, the Mayor of Pella Mr. E. Fountoukidis, the Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, Lieutenant General A. Koufopoulos, the Police Director of Pella, Mr. D. Georgitsas, and other representatives of local authorities and bodies was noted. A multitude of faithful flocked throughout the fifteen-day period to participate in the holy services and to venerate the holy relic of Saint David.
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