Solemn High Priestly Vespers at the First Church of Agios Minas Naousistranslated

On Tuesday, November 10, in the afternoon, the Most Holy Bishop of Domenikos, Mr. Athenagoras, officiated at Vespers at the celebratory Church of Agios Minas Naousis. The divine word was preached by the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Berea, Nausis and Campania Mr. Panteleimon The ecclesiastical order was overseen by His Eminence Archim. Pavlos Papadopoulos, High Priestly Commissioner of Irinoupolis and head of the Holy Church.

His Excellency's speech

With an army you conquered the worldly, with sports, you received the heavenly priesthood, wise man, and a wreath of amaranth".

Among the martyrs of our Church, the so-called military saints hold a prominent place, those saints who in their earthly life were soldiers. They are those whom the faithful, because of their military character, felt as their strongest protectors and guardians from the many enemies and the various dangers they faced. They are the ones who bore a greater burden of confession, because even as soldiers they had to obey the earthly king they served, they preferred to obey "God rather than men".

The celebrated saint was such a soldier...