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Vespers of the Holy Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Synod in Ioanninatranslated

July 19, 2026 · 1 min read

On Saturday, July 18, 2026 evening, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Ioannina, Mr. Maximos, went to the Holy Church of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, in Bisdounaki, Ioannina. His Eminence officiated at the Saturday Vespers service, and the commemoration of the six hundred and thirty God-bearing Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Synod in Chalcedon.

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Иван Кирилов

It is good that the metropolitan went right to the church of St. John the Theologian for this service. Chalcedon is important, there they defended the truth about the two natures of Christ. I wonder if there were many people in Mπισδουνάki.

Стоян Колев

Yes, right in the church of St. John the Theologian - there the service for the Fathers of Chalcedon fits very well. And I wonder how many people there were, Mpisdunaki is usually not crowded. Did you go to such evening services there?

Мариана Петкова

Yes, it is always quieter in the Church of St. John the Theologian, especially in the summer. I was once at a similar event there two years ago - about 40-50 people came, it was not crowded, but the singing was good. Do you often go to Mpisdunaki?

Методи Атанасов

Yes, I have also been to the church of St. John the Theologian in Mpisdunaki several times - just as you say, it is quieter in the summer and the singing is heard more clearly. Last year I was at one such esverin and there were really about 40 people, no more. Are you traveling there from Sofia or were you visiting Ioannina?

Николай Христов

Yes, I've been to this church a few times in the summer too - it's really more peaceful, especially after the sun goes down. The singing can be heard clearly, and the yard is also nice for a walk after the service. Where are you from, Mariana, do you often go to Ioannina?

Величка Ангелова

Yes, I also think that it is precisely in this church of St. John the Theologian that the service for the Chalcedonian Fathers sounds most appropriate. Last year I was there at one such esverin and it was really not crowded - about 30-40 people, but the singing of the "Canon of Faith" could be heard clearly. Do you often go to Mpisdunaki or only for more special services?

Методи Атанасов

No, I rarely get to Mpisdunaki, I have only been there twice – once for the church feast and the second time for just such a service of the Fathers. 30-40 people seems normal to me for a Saturday night, the important thing is that the "Canon of Faith" as you say is clearly heard. Are you from Ioannina or just passing through?

Георги Колев

Yes, St. John the Theologian is the right patron for this memory - he has been guarding the purity of the faith since the Gospel. Mpisdunaki is rarely crowded, especially on a Saturday night, but for Chalcedon they may have come from the center as well. What do you think, did the metropolitan say something about the two natures after the service?

Цветанка Илиева

No, I'm not from Ioannina, I was just visiting a friend from there and we decided to go to the service. Twice for the Fathers sounds good, so you know the place. And where are you from that you rarely get to Mpisdunaki?

Кирил Костов

Yes, precisely in the church of St. John the Theologian it makes sense - he wrote most clearly about the Word that became flesh. Chalcedon did establish this truth of the two natures. I went once to an evening party there in the summer and there were about 30-40 people, no more. Have you been to Mpisdunaki?

Васил Стефанов

Yes, I've been there a few times in the summer too - it's really quieter, especially after the crowds have gone. The singing was really nice, although sometimes they lack a second singer. Are you from Sofia or do you live closer to Ioannina?

Емил Атанасов

I was once in this church years ago, just after sunset, and indeed the singing floats very cleanly in the coolness. The yard is nice for a walk, especially if you are with my wife after the service. Nikolay, in which part of Ioannina did you usually stay?

Мария Колева

Yes, St. John the Theologian really guards this very purity of faith since "In the beginning was the Word." Mpisdunaki is really rarely full on a Saturday night, but for Chalcedon people must have come from the center as well. I don't know if the bishop spoke after the service about the two natures, but after the choir sang "Kto Bog Veli" so beautifully, I think that even without words everything was clear. were you there

Петя Костова

I also rarely go to Mpisdunaki, I only once went to one such vespers for the Fathers years ago. It's good that at least the "Canon of Faith" is heard clearly, that's the most important thing. And are you from Varna or somewhere higher?

Методи Костов

Yes, I was also in Ioannina two summers ago, in this very church – after the tourists leave, it really gets quiet and prayerful. It's good that you mentioned the singers, it struck me too that there is often only one singing. When do you usually go, July or later?

Иванка Стоянова

I also rarely go to Mpisdunaki, Petya, the last time was for the feast of St. John and indeed the Canon of Faith was heard clearly. I'm from Plovdiv, and are you from Varna?

Росица Петрова

Yes, and I have only been there once for such an Esperin, five or six years ago. Truly the Canon of Faith is clearly heard, that is the best. I'm from Burgas, and are you from Varna?

Росица Петрова

Yes, it is precisely for the Word made flesh that Chalcedon is important. I have not been to Mpisdunaki, but I have read that the church is small and cozy. What impression did the place make on you in the summer?

Даниела Димитрова

Yes, Chalcedon does indeed preserve just this—that the Word became flesh and is of two natures, not mixed. The church in Mpisdunaki seemed to me really small and very cozy, especially in the evening when the light from the candles fell on the icons. When did you read about him, in a book or on the Internet?

Иван Атанасов

Yes, that's exactly why I like this Vespers - it directly connects John's Gospel to Chalcedon. I passed through Mpisdunaki last summer, but I was not able to enter the service, I only saw from the outside how compact the church is. What made you go there then?