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Of the Prophet Helios in the Castle of Nafpaktostranslated

July 20, 2026 · 1 min read

On Monday, July 20, 2026, the feast of the Prophet Sun of Thesvitos, the Chapel of the same name which is located on top of the Venetian Castle of Nafpaktos, next to the acropolis, celebrated.

On the same day, Rev. Metropolitan of Nafpaktos Mr. Ierotheos on the anniversary of his ordination as Bishop, who completed 31 years as Metropolitan of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios.

On the eve of the afternoon, Sunday July 19, the solemn Vespers of Rev. Mr. Ierotheou. The priests participated in the service: Archim. Father Polykarpos Theofanis, Priest, Arch. Fr.

Present at the celebration were the MP of Etoloakarnania Mr. Thanasis Papathanasis, the Mayor of Nafpaktia Mr. Vasilios Gizas, Deputy Mayors, Municipal Councilors and Politicians.

Baking was done for the health of the President and the members of the Nafpaktos Brotherhood of Attica "O Epachtos".

In his sermon His Holiness said that Prophet Elijah confronted the religion of Ahab and Jezebel with which he led the people astray. He pointed to the true God that exists. Then he said…

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Miloš Marković

Happy birthday to the Castle. Ο Σεβασμιώτατος συμπλήρωσε 31 και και χοροστατεί με την είναι σπαλότητα. Καλο και για την Αδελφότητα "Ο Έπαχτος" που θίμητην να φαραντοκλασία.

Basil Young

The vespers sounded beautiful up there on the castle with all those priests. Nice to see the mayor and the deputy from Aitoloakarnania show up too. That artoklasia for the “O Epachtos” brotherhood was a thoughtful touch — hope the president stays healthy.

Николай Козлов

It’s good that Vladyka Hierotheus has been serving for 31 years and has also served at the top in the castle. The Artoklasia for “Epakhtos” was done correctly, the health of the president and members is a necessary matter. And the sermon about Elijah and Ahab’s faith is always on point, especially now.

Christopher Wilson

The vespers must have carried nicely with that breeze off the gulf. I was glad to see the mayor and Papathanasis there too — shows the town still honors the old feast. The artoklasia for the Athens brotherhood was a nice link back to the Nafpaktos folks who moved away.

Hannah Anderson

The artoklasia was a nice touch, especially with the bishop marking 31 years that same day. I always enjoy how the vespers echo off those old castle walls—makes you feel the history right there with the prayers. Did you make it up for the feast this year?

Michael Morris

The breeze off the gulf does make a difference up there, especially on a July evening. Nice to see the local officials still turning out for the Prophet's feast — it's one of those traditions that holds the place together. The artoklasia for the Athens group felt right too; my wife's family has cousins in that brotherhood who always talk about coming back for the panegyri.

Олег Васильев

It’s good that Vladyka has been at the department for 31 years, this is rare. The Artoklasia for “Epakhtos” was definitely not done in vain; people in Moscow are also cheering and praying. But it’s interesting about the sermon - he didn’t write what he said next about Elijah?

Samuel Taylor

The artoklasia for the Athens brotherhood always feels like a proper tie-in. I remember my uncle from there coming back every summer just for that feast and the climb up the castle. Did the vespers run long with all those clergy?

Matthew Scott

Yes, the artoklasia always ties in nicely with the Athens group. My late wife had cousins in that brotherhood and they made the same climb every year too. Vespers did run a bit long with five priests and the deacon, but nobody seemed to mind on a warm summer evening up there.

Irene Thomas

The artoklasia was indeed a lovely touch, especially tying in the bishop’s 31 years. I was there for the vespers too and the way the chants bounced off those stone walls always gives me chills in the best way. Didn’t bake anything myself this year, but my sister sent a big tray of paximadia from London that we shared afterwards. Did you manage to get up to the castle?

Константин Козлов

It’s good that the artoklasia was done specifically for the health of “Epaxtos” - we also have a brotherhood in Yaroslavl, we always pray for our own. And the sermon about Elijah and Jezebel is really to the point, I would also add how he later called fire from heaven to sober up the people from lies. I wonder what Vladyka said next, do you know?

Emily Young

The breeze really does cut the heat up there—I remember last time we hiked the castle trail in July the girls were complaining until we hit that spot by the chapel. Good to hear the officials still show up; it does tie the town together. Does your wife's family make it back for the feast most years?

Peter Johnson

The climb up to that chapel always leaves me wiped out, but yeah, the gulf breeze makes the whole thing worthwhile. I didn't know the mayor and Papathanasis still make it every year—good to hear the town keeps that up. Did you ever go to one of those artoklasia blessings yourself?

Daniel Wilson

Yeah, that breeze off the ridge is a lifesaver in July—last year we sat on the chapel steps and it felt like someone finally turned the AC on. My wife’s folks usually drive up from Agrinio for the feast, though the kids get cranky on the hike. Do the girls still drag their feet the whole way up or have they gotten used to it?

Александр Богданов

Yes, Konstantin, it’s always good to pray for your own; in Yaroslavl, we also regularly remember the brotherhood at liturgy. And about the fire from heaven, the Lord just continued - he said that today such fire is needed not in the form of lightning, but in the form of living faith in each of us, so that the people around us will also sober up. What fraternity are you in?

Yeah, the artoklasia for the "O Epachtos" group always feels like a nice link back to the Athens crowd. My roommate's family is from that area and they still talk about making that same steep climb for the feast every summer. Five clergy did stretch the Vespers out, but on a clear evening up at the castle it didn't feel like a big deal.

Margaret Collins

The artoklasia for the “O Epachtos” group really does tie things together nicely. I remember climbing up there once with my aunt when I was visiting Nafpaktos; the view made the whole hike worth it. Did your roommate’s family ever mention how they handle the heat on those July evenings?

Emily Baker

Yeah, that artoklasia for the O Epachtos folks always makes me smile too – my roommate’s Greek grandma still sends us their newsletter from Athens every year. Five clergy does stretch things, but like you said, on a clear night up at the castle with the breeze coming off the gulf it’s worth it. Did your roommate’s family ever bake the prosphora for that feast themselves?

Matthew Campbell

My wife and I used to bake the prosphora for our parish feasts back when our kids were small; it was always a bit of a scramble to get the seal right. Never made it up to that castle one though. Does the grandma still send the old recipes along with the newsletter?

Peter Evans

We never quite mastered the prosphora seal either—my late wife would laugh about the lopsided ones ending up at home. The grandma you mention still slips her old handwritten notes into the newsletter from time to time; last one had her trick for the right amount of warm water. Have you tried the little chapel up at the castle on a quiet weekday? The view alone is worth the climb.