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Symis Chrysostomos: The life of Saint Athanasios was an example of holinesstranslated

July 8, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 5, 2026, Sunday 5th of Matthew and memory of our Holy father Athanasios of Athonite, Rev. Metropolitan of Symi, Mr. Chrysostomos officiated at Orthros and performed the Consecration at the beginning of the new month of July, as well as the Divine Liturgy, in the parish and pericalli I. Church of Agios Athanasios Symi, with co-celebrants the Parish Priest Fr. Eleftherios Othitis, Fr. Georgios Kakakios and the Hierodeacon Fr. Pavlos Terezakis, while the sacred Analogy was performed sweetly by the cantors Mr. Eleftherios Xirakis, Mr. Panormitis Kakakios and Mr. Georgios Moskiou, among others. His Eminence, taking occasion from the Gospel reading of the healing of the two demon-possessed, referred to this wonderful point, mentally transporting the minds of the churchgoing faithful to the land of the Gergesenes. There Christ meets two demon-possessed people, who lived in the tombs and caused fear to all who passed by. With a single word of His, the Lord casts out the demons, who enter a herd of pigs that fall into the sea and drown. But instead of the inhabitants being happy for the release of their two fellow human beings, they ask Jesus to leave their borders, because...

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Aleksandar Radovanović

May this holiday be blessed. It's nice that Bishop Chrysostom took that particular Gospel passage about the people of Gerges - it always makes me think of how people love their pigs more than their healed neighbors. Thanks to Father Eleutherius and the priests for serving so harmoniously.

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ლელა ნოზაძე

Thanks for this story. I especially liked that Metropolitan Chrysostom spoke about the Gospel of the Gergesians - indeed, it often seems that we are more interested in "our pigs" than the healing of our neighbor. It was good that the singers sang so harmoniously in the church.

Юрій Руденко

It is good that the Bishop stopped at this particular Gospel passage. I also think every time: how come people were ready to lose two healed people, so that their pigs would not drown. And they sang today, they say, very harmoniously, I especially liked that the psalmists were local, from Simi. Thanks to Father Eleutherius.

Юлія Шевчук

It's good that Vladyka stopped at those Hergesians. Every time I think how we sometimes worry more about our "pigs" than about the recovery of the person next to us. And they sang today, they say, very harmoniously, especially those local psalmists.

Евгения Макарова

Yes, this place about the Gergesinians always sticks in my heart. People were ready to lose two healed people so that their pigs would not drown. And the service, apparently, turned out to be very harmonious - especially when the locals sing, you immediately feel that this is their church. Thanks to Bishop Chrysostom for stopping at this point.

Леся Бойко

Yes, Yulia, those people from Herges are directly about us. I, too, often find myself worrying more about my little "order" and habits than about a neighbor or relative finally feeling relieved. And they sang really well, especially when all three psalmists were together - you could hear it even in the yard.

Олег Олійник

Yes, Yulia, those Hergesians really hit the mark. I also sometimes catch myself feeling sorry for "mine" - whether it's work or peace after a shift - and the person next to me seems not to be a priority. And the psalmists really kept it together today, especially when they sang "Holy God", you could hear the church ringing.

Тарас Олійник

Yes, Yuliu, those people from Herges are really like a mirror. After fishing, I often think about how I can hold on to my own peace of mind, and I won't say a good word to a neighbor who dries up my soul. And the psalmists were really harmonious today, especially Panormit and his father - you could hear it even from the street.

Михайло Бойко

Yes, Lesya, those people from Herges are really like us - I too often think about my garden and needlework, but I forget about my neighbor's soul. It's good that you mentioned the psalmists, because their singing could really be heard in the yard, as if in a church. And do you often go to services in this particular church?