Feast of Panagia Koumariotissa celebrated on the Bosphorus

The feast of Panagia Koumariotissa was celebrated with a series of services at the Church of Panagia Koumariotissa in Neochori on the Bosphorus, with clergy and faithful participating under the presidency of Metropolitan Athenagoras of Kydonies, Patriarchal Supervisor of the Bosphorus District.

The celebrations began on August 22 with Great Vespers, during which Metropolitan Athenagoras blessed the artoklasia. Archimandrite Timotheos Tsismalidis of the Metropolis of Florina, Prespes and Eordaia delivered the homily.

On Sunday morning, August 23, Matins and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy were celebrated, presided over by Metropolitan Athenagoras. Archimandrite Nikiforos Kounalis, General Archiepiscopal Vicar and preacher of the Archdiocese of Crete, delivered the homily.

The celebrations concluded that afternoon with Hierarchical Vespers. In keeping with tradition, the sacred icon of Panagia Koumariotissa was carried in procession around the church, with prayers offered for the health of Orthodox Christians and for the repose of the church’s founders, departed members of the Neochori community and former members of its parish councils.

Following the procession,…