“St. Spyridon the wonderworker is one of the most venerated saints among our people. The patron of the needy and destitute, a swift helper to those who suffer and to all in misfortune, this servant of God responds with unfailing readiness to every sorrow and grief, embracing with his love and care each person who turns to him for support and intercession. Simplicity of soul and sensitivity, boldness in prayer and zeal for the truth of the Gospel draw the hearts of millions of people to the bishop of Tremythus—and no one departs unconsoled. I’m convinced that the bringing of this great relic, and the opportunity to touch a portion of the healing relics of this wondrous servant of Christ, will spiritually strengthen our people and confirm them in faith and piety.
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“one of the saints most deeply venerated by our people
“he also encouraged the faithful to pray to the Theotokos with trust, confident that she knows human suffering and understands their concerns
“St. Nazaria, he said, shows that pure prayer isn’t a utopia. St. Olimpiada, he continued, shows that taking on external cares and administrative or leadership responsibilities doesn’t stop a person from reaching God—rather, when such service is undertaken in God’s name, it becomes a pure offering to the Holy Trinity. St. Elisabeta, he added, shows those who fulfilled the Lord’s word to the rich young man in the Gospel: “Go, sell your possessions, give to the poor, then come and follow Me.”
“the Parish Priest, Fr Sotirios Drapaniotis, welcomed the Archbishop and expressed the gratitude of the parishioners for their Shepherd’s participation in the anniversary celebration, as well as for his spiritual guidance, pastoral care and support.
“Even today, the Panagia is among us. She hears our prayers, listens to the pain of our souls and receives everything that our hearts wish to entrust to her, but which human words are often unable to express.
“the glorification of the saints a testimony to God’s mercy toward His people
“the presence of the relic would spiritually strengthen the faithful and reinforce their faith and devotion
“Most Honourable Brother Bishops and my beloved children, The great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos gathers us once again around the venerable person of our Panagia, the Mother of the Lord and the Mother of all Christians. Today, the Church does not mourn a death, but celebrates a translation from death to life; the Church does not lament a separation, but rejoices in the passage from the temporal to the eternal, from earth to heaven, from corruption to incorruption, and from the vanity of this world to the true life. For this reason, the Dormition of the Theotokos is for all of us a feast of hope, consolation and joy, since we feel that, through her translation from death to life, Panagia is even closer to us and remains beside us. As the Apolytikion of the feast proclaims: “In your Dormition, O Theotokos, you did not abandon the world.” On the occasion, therefore, of this great Feast of the Mother of God, I encourage you all to turn your gaze towards her with trust amid the difficulties, trials and concerns of your lives. Panagia knows human suffering. She experienced exile, anguish, silence, contempt, injustice and slander, and, above all, the sorrow of beholding her Son upon the Cross. For this reason, she can understand every tear, every fear and every wound of the human heart. Panagia can hear the silent scream of every suffering soul. Let us beseech her today to shelter our families, our children and young people, the sick, the lonely and all those undergoing trials. Let us ask her to protect the whole world and always guide us towards her Son and God. May you all be granted many blessed years.
