← News feed Church of Greece

The Feast of the Holy Prophet Helios in Thessalonikitranslated

July 21, 2026 · 1 min read

The memory of the holy and glorious Prophet Helios was celebrated with particular splendor in Thessaloniki, focusing on the two historic parish Churches, the Byzantine Church in the Upper City and the Parish Church of Pylaia. On the eve, Sunday, July 19, the Solemn High Priestly Vespers was celebrated in the Parish Church of Agios Prophet Ilios Pylaia, which was officiated by His Eminence the Metropolitan of Chalkidos, Istiaia and the Northern Sporades, Mr. Chrysostomos, and concelebrated by the His Eminence the Metropolitan of Velestinos, Mr. Damaskinos and the Pastor, Metropolitan of Thessaloniki Mr. Philotheos.

The divine word was preached by the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Chalkidos Mr. Chrysostomos. After Vespers, a pandemic litany of the Holy Icon of the Holy Prophet Helios took place.

Immediately after the end of the litany, the Pastor thanked the Reverend High Priests, who brightened up this year's celebration with their presence, and congratulated Fr. Spyridon Karataidis, president of the Ecclesiastical Council, his co-priests, Fr. Church Committees, workers, volunteers and cantors, as well as...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (6) 🌐 Show original

Daniel Brown

The procession after the Vespers must have been something to see, especially with that icon of Saint Elijah going through the streets of Pylaia. Nice to hear Bishop Chrysostomos preached the sermon too. Thanks for the report, it makes me wish I could have been there.

Катерина Ангеловска

It's nice that you mention the Pilaya litany. I always remember our little litany here in Bitola when we carry the icon of St. Elijah along the steep streets. It's good that Bishop Chrysostom also delivered the sermon, the man knows how to speak simply and clearly. Thanks for the news.

Весна Николовска

Nice that you mentioned your litany along the steep streets of Bitola, Katerina. Here in Prilep, we carry the icon through the old part to the "St. Ilia" church, and there is always one of the elders who tells how wheat and grapes were once thrown on the road. Chrysostom really speaks clearly, without many words, just right. Thanks for the comment too.

Rachel Miller

The icon really does stand out in those evening processions — it's quite old and they carry it so carefully through the narrow streets. Bishop Chrysostomos's sermon was straightforward and practical, as usual. Have you ever joined the feast in Thessaloniki yourself, Daniel?

Александар Ристески

You tell a good story, Vesna. Here in Ohrid, we carry the icon along the cobblestones to "St. Ilia" in Plaoshnik, and I always remember how my mother threw only wheat on the road, no grapes. Does anyone in Prilep still do that or is it just a story?

Марко Николовски

Nice that you mentioned Prilep, Vesna. Here in Bitola, we carry the icon along the steep streets towards St. Ilia on Gerakomiya and there are always grandmothers who throw only wheat, rarely grapes. Are they doing that in Prilep now or are they just telling stories?