The Sunday of St. Matthew in the Holy Metropolis of Petratranslated

The Most Reverend Metropolitan of Petra and Herronissos Mr. Gerasimos officiated at the Holy Church of Agios Panteleimonos Kritsas on Sunday I' Matthew, August 9, 2026. Before the dismissal, the four-day memorial service of Blessed Eleni Sgourou was held.

Speaking to the troubled congregation, His Holiness noted: "Today, my dear brothers, we heard Christ himself telling us and motivating us, that if we want to progress in our spiritual life, there is only one way to achieve it. And this is none other than prayer and fasting. This Gospel passage is a continuation of the narrative of Christ's Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, in front of His Disciples. The Lord reveals himself, as if the human nature recedes to reveal the divinity in the eyes of the Disciples. He converses with the major Prophets to show that he is Lord of the living and the dead, that he is the one who gave the Law but also the one who is above the Law. Coming down from Mount Tabor, he heals the possessed and gives us these two weapons, prayer and fasting, to use in our lives."

His Holiness then toured the…