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Diocese of Ilio: Ordination to elder Fr Raphael Katsatranslated

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 5, 2026, the 5th Sunday of Matthew the Evangelist, His Eminence the Metropolitan of Ilio, Acharna and Petropolis Mr. Athenagoras officiated at Orthros and celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Parish Church of the Holy Trinity in Petropolis. His Eminence officiated assisted by Archim. Agathangelos Kokla, Preacher of the Holy Metropolis, Archim. Tito Christou, High Priestly Commissioner of Tribes and Acharnes, Archim. Paisios Paraschi, President of the Holy Church Council, Fr. Father Raphael Katsa.

After the Great Entry, His Eminence proceeded to the ordination of the deacon Father Raphael as a senior. On the occasion of the 5th Gospel, regarding the journey to Emmaus of Christ's disciples Luke and Cleopas, he emphasized the value of knowing God "in the class of bread", in the mystery of the Holy Eucharist, where the relationship between God and people is highlighted and he urged Father Raphael to walk daily in his priestly life with Christ and him as companions...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Anna Moore

What a lovely day for Fr Raphael. I especially liked how the Metropolitan spoke about walking with Christ every day, just like the disciples on the road to Emmaus. May God give him strength in his new ministry at the parish.

Роман Зайцев

Χαίρομαι για τον π. Ραφαήλ. Το κήρυγμα με το Εωθινό για τους μαθητές στην Εμμαούς και την "κλάση του άρτου" μου φάνηκε πολύ ταιριαστό, ειδικά τη στιγμή που χειροτονιόταν. Να τον ενισχύει ο Θεός στον νέο του ρόλο στην ενορία.

Дмитрий Новиков

I agree, Roman, about “classy το άρτου” they were very accurate. Just last week in Nizhny, the priest said the same thing at a sermon: without this recognition of Christ in the Eucharist, the entire service remains only a ritual. I wonder what p. Raphael used to be a deacon in what enoria?

Christopher Wilson

The part about the road to Emmaus and knowing Christ “in the breaking of the bread” really stuck with me too. It’s a good reminder that the priesthood isn’t just rituals. Wonder if Fr Raphael was serving at Saint Nectarios in Ano Liosia before this.

Katarina Nikolić

Yes, it's nice that the bishop emphasized exactly that passage about Emmaus - "εν τη κλάσει του άρτου". This is what is most remembered after the Liturgy. It is interesting that p. Ραφαήλ was already a deacon at Fr. Νικόλαος Κουϊμτζίδη in Αγίου Νεκταρίου Άνω Λιοσίων, so now he stays in the same area.

Ксения Попова

I am glad for Father Raphael, especially that the Bishop focused on the Gospel about Emmaus - “in the breaking of bread.” Last week we also talked about this at a sermon in Yaroslavl. I wonder if he will now remain to serve in the same area where he was a deacon with Father Nicholas in Agios Nektarios?

جيسيكا نصار

Yes, the part about “εν τη κλάσει του άρτου” was very accurate, especially when he was ordained a priest. I heard that Deacon Raphael was serving with Father Nikolaos in Agios Nectarios in Ano Leosia, meaning he was not far from the area. May God strengthen him in his new service.

Basil Young

Yeah, that Emmaus line hit me too — the Eucharist really is where it all comes together. Fr. Raphael was the deacon at St. Nectarios in Ano Liosia, so this ordination feels like a natural next step for him. You planning to make it to any of the services up there?

Дарко Николовски

Yes, it's nice that the bishop highlighted exactly that "εν τη κλάσει του άρτου" from the Gospel of Emmaus – one feels that the Liturgy is not just a rite. It is interesting to me that Mr. Raphael was already a deacon at p. Νικολαο Κουϊμτζίδη in Ay. Nectarius in Άνω Λιοσίων, so now he stays close. May God give him strength in his new service.

James Bennett

Yeah, that bit about walking with Christ every day like the disciples on the road to Emmaus really stuck with me too. Good to hear Fr. Raphael was already serving as deacon at St. Nectarios in Ano Liosia under Fr. Nikolaos, so he’s staying close to the same area. God give him strength in the priesthood.

Евгения Макарова

I agree, Dmitry, about “classi that άρτου” is really to the point - without this, the whole service would seem to be in emptiness. Here in Novosibirsk they also often talk about this at liturgy. And in what enoria do you have the priest who preached in Nizhny?

Xenia Wilson

Yes, that Emmaus connection was spot on — the breaking of the bread really is where everything becomes clear. Nice that Fr. Raphael is staying local too; I remember seeing him serve as deacon at St. Nectarios last year during a vigil. May God strengthen him.

Photini Brown

Yeah, that Emmaus part stayed with me too — the “breaking of the bread” line always makes me think of how the Liturgy isn’t just ceremony, it’s where you actually meet Christ. Fr. Raphael was indeed the deacon at St. Nectarios in Ano Liosia; I’ve seen him serve there a few times. You ever catch the choir up at Holy Trinity in Petroupoli?

Katherine Davis

The Emmaus reference really stayed with me too — that line about knowing Him “in the breaking of the bread” hits different when you’re standing there watching an ordination. I also saw Fr. Raphael at St. Nectarios last summer; he had this quiet steadiness even as a deacon. Do you remember which vigil that was?

Sarah Anderson

The Emmaus part stood out to me too, especially the way he tied it straight to the Eucharist instead of just the road story. I think I saw Fr. Raphael at the same St. Nectarios vigil you mentioned — the one last July for the feast of St. Paisios, right? He really does have that calm way about him.