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Solemn reception of the Holy Relics and Vespers of the Synagogue of the Saints in Trikkitranslated

October 4, 2026 · 1 min read

With ecclesiastical splendor and deep rapture, the celebration of the Synod of All Saints of Trikki shining and pleasing to God began on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in the Holy Metropolitan Church of Agios Nikolaos Trikala. In front of the Holy Church, the solemn reception of the surviving Holy Relics of Saint Vissarion, Saint Ecumenios of Trikki, Saint Ephraim of Trikki, Saint Arsenios Bishop Elassonos and Saint Dimitrios Gagastathis by the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Trikki, Gardiki and Pyli etc. took place. Chrysostomos, with the participation of the invited High Priests, the Holy Clergy, the Authorities of the Prefecture and the city, representatives of services, associations and unions and the pious people.

At 6:15 p.m. a Deesis was held upon the arrival of the Holy Relics and was followed by the Grand Solemn High Priestly Vespers with bread and butter, Xorostatus of the Theophilest Bishop of Elia, Mr. Bartholomeus and concelebrants of the Reverend Metropolitan Gerontas of Caesarea, Mr. Theophilaktos, the Reverend Metropolitan Trikkis, Gardiki and Pylis, Mr. Chrysostomos and the Theophilest Bishop, Mr. Joakim. His Holiness was praying at the Holy Altar...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Mark Parker

The relics of St. Bessarion and St. Arsenios of Elassona coming back to Trikala for the feast sounds like a real homecoming. I noticed Bishop Bartholomew was leading the Great Vespers with the others—must have been something to stand in that crowded cathedral with the artoklasia at the end. Our choir here always sings the same troparion for local saints; I'd love to hear how they did it there.

Corina Tudor

I heard that the relics of Saint Demetrius Gangastathi, the priest, have arrived, and I was very glad. Last year, I was at Trikala with the youth group from our parish, and the church was full, just like that, with people waiting outside for the relics. I believe that the vespers with the artoklasia smelled beautifully of warm bread after such a crowd.

Daniel Dumitrescu

I was happy to see that they also brought the relics of Saint Ephrem from Trikala and priest Dimitrie Gangasthathi - last year I read his life and it remained in my mind how simply he served. Apparently it was the same crowd as at Corina, with people waiting outside. I think the artoklasia after such a vesper must have had a special taste.

Красимира Георгиева

I am glad that they also brought the relics of Saint Ephrem of Trika and priest Dimitar Gagastatis. I read about him last year and it struck me how simply he served in his parish. The cathedral must have been as crowded tonight as it was at Corinna's, with people waiting outside.

Alexandra Marin

Yes, I too was glad to see the relics of Saint Ephrem brought there. The life of the priest Dimitrie Gangasthathi is really worth reading several times, with his simple village services. At our parish, this year we made artoklasia with bread baked by me and it was really tasty after a long evening of prayer.

Cristina Gheorghiu

Yes, I also read several times about Father Dimitrie Gangasthathi, especially how he served quietly in his village. The relics of Saint Ephrem were also a beautiful moment, I saw them up close in Trikala a few years ago. What kind of bread did you bake for artoklasia, with mayo or with yeast?

Florin Stoica

Yes, Father Dimitrie's simple service also stuck in my head, especially how he distributed anaphora after Liturgy in his village. Last year I also read his life one evening after the race in Târgu Mureș and it calmed me down. Do you think they will leave the relics longer at Trikala or take them back quickly?

Andrei Lungu

Yes, Father Dimitrie's simple service and how he distributed anaphora after the Liturgy also marked me when I read. I think the relics will stay at Trikala at least until Sunday evening, as they announced at the end of vespers, but I'm not sure if they will extend them any longer. When was the last time you visited the monastery in his village?

Ilie Ionescu

Yes, I also remembered how he distributed anaphora after the service, in no hurry. This year at Trikala I felt the same at artoklasia – the warm bread after so much standing was just what I needed. Do you think they will ever bring the relics to us, in Iași, at least for a day?

Cristian Lungu

I also read about father Dimitrie, how he prayed at night in that small church in the village. For artoklasia, I baked simple bread with mayo, as my mother has been doing since I was a child. You saw the relics of St. Ephrem in Trikala, what did you think of the crowd?

Daniela Stan

Yes, I was also impressed by how he distributed the anaphora after the Liturgy, as if I see him with the basket in his hand at the gate of the house. I read his life two years ago, after picking tomatoes from the garden, and it helped me calm down before vespers. Do you think it would be good for us to go to Trikala and worship if we still have them until Sunday?