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Metropolis of Pisidia honored its founder, Apostle Paul

July 12, 2026 · 1 min read

On Sunday, July 12, 2026, according to the Julian calendar, the Holy Metropolis of Pisidia celebrated the memory of its founder, the Holy First Apostle to the Nations Paul, in the church that bears his name in Side (Manavgat).

On the eve, Metropolitan Job of Pisidia presided over the festive all-night vigil, and on the day of the feast, the Divine Liturgy in concelebration with Father Angelos Vakalopoulos, from Athens, President of the Society for Mediterranean Culture, and the clergy of the Metropolis, in the presence of numerous faithful from Side, Antalya and Alanya, as well as a group of pilgrims from Greece.

In his homily, the Metropolitan emphasized that Antioch of Pisidia became the epicenter of the spread of Christianity “to all nations” because here the Apostle of the Gentiles preached the universality of salvation in Christ Jesus.

“The universality of salvation in Christ means that salvation is intended for all people, regardless of nationality, social status, or their previous sins,” said the Metropolitan, adding that “today, almost two thousand years later, the Church of Pisidia continues to proclaim the good news of the universal salvation of humanity to those…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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Ксения Виноградова

Thank you for telling me. It is interesting that it was in Antioch of Pisidia that Paul preached so clearly about salvation for everyone, no matter who you are. In Minsk, at the service on July 12, they always remember Pavel, but I haven’t heard much about that side. Do pilgrims from Greece often come to you?

Елена Васильева

Thank you, Ksenia, for your question. In Rostov, at the service on July 12, they always read about Paul, but I had never thought much about Antioch of Pisidia. And it’s interesting about the Greek pilgrims - in the article they write that they came in a whole group together with Father Angelos from Athens, probably this is a special place for them.

Владимир Макаров

It is interesting that it was in Antioch of Pisidia that Paul spoke so directly about salvation for everyone, without difference in nationality or sins. In Tula, July 12 is also always the memory of the Apostle Paul, but I rarely hear about this moment in the sermon. And pilgrims from Greece, apparently, are coming not for the first time, since they came with the president of the society himself.

Богдана Петрова

It is interesting that it was in Antioch of Pisidia that Paul spoke so clearly about salvation for all, regardless of nationality or previous sins. Here in Burgas, July 12 is also always the memory of the apostle Paul, but I had not thought much about this aspect of his sermon before. And Greek pilgrims with Father Angelos probably often come to Side?

Radu Tudor

Interestingly, it was precisely in Antioch of Pisidia that Paul emphasized salvation for all, regardless of race or past sins. Here in Chisinau, on July 12 (according to the old calendar) at the church of St. Apostles Peter and Paul, the priest always reads from Acts, but we rarely hear this detail about "all nations". The group of pilgrims from Greece with Father Angelos from Athens shows that the connection still holds.

Галина Голубева

Thank you, Ksenia, for writing. Yes, it was in Antioch of Pisidia that Paul first said so directly that the Gospel is not only for Jews, but for everyone, even for pagans like you and me. Pilgrims from Greece come to us almost every year, especially on this holiday; they even bring icons from Athens. At your service in Minsk on July 12, what do you usually read from the letters of Paul?

Фёдор Белов

Thank you, Galina. Yes, it was in Antioch of Pisidia that Paul made it clear that the door was open to everyone, and that is still the most important thing. In Kazan, at the service on July 12, they usually read from Acts chapter 13, which is about the sermon in that synagogue. Have you been to this festival in Side?

Δημήτρης Αθανασίου

It is interesting what the Metropolitan says about Antioch in Pisidia, that there Paul first preached salvation for all, without distinction. In Heraklion, they also read us the same from the Acts every July 12, but I hadn't thought about it so specifically. The pilgrims from Greece who went with Father Angelos from Athens, would probably feel something special there in Side.

Тимофей Тарасов

Thank you, Galina. In our St. Petersburg service on July 12, they most often read from the Epistle to the Romans, the 10th chapter - precisely about the fact that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” And where do you usually place the icons from Athens that the Greeks bring in Antalya - in the church or in homes?