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Vespers of Agia Kyriaki and unveiling of the Monument to the Fallen in Pachia Ammos, Ierapetratranslated

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

On the afternoon of Monday, July 6, 2026, the Great High Priestly Vespers of the feast of Saint Magalomartyros Kyriaki was celebrated with great splendor in the celebratory feronymous south aisle of the Holy Church of Agios Christophers in Pachia Ammos, Ierapetra. The service was officiated by Rev. Metropolitan of Ierapytni and Sitia, Mr. Kyrillos, who blessed the breads and preached the divine word, briefly referring to the life and martyrdom of the holy Great Martyr and Virgin Kyriaki at the age of only 21, but also to holiness as the fulfillment of God's order "be holy, for I am holy". He also emphasized that today's honored Holy Sunday, the life, the martyrdom, the stability in the faith of Christ and its confession, are a response of our Holy Church to the modern society that is constantly changing and disoriented from the values and ideals of our society.

Finally, he thanked and congratulated both the President of the Local Community of Pacheia Ammos, Mrs. Maria Kokkinaki, and the Mayor of Ierapetra, Mr. Emmanuel Fragoulis, and his colleagues for the construction and installation of the new monument to the fallen in the courtyard of the Holy Church of Agios Christophers, and noted...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Mark Hall

The Vespers sounded beautiful, especially with Metropolitan Kyrillos preaching on St. Kyriaki’s courage at just 21. Nice to see the new war memorial finished right there in the church courtyard—thanks to Mayor Frangoulis and Mrs. Kokkinaki for making it happen.

Іван Савченко

The speech of Our Lady Kyryllou for Holy Sunday on the 21st year stayed with me. To see such a young girl steadfast in the faith of Christ, this is the answer indeed. And the good man who finished the monument next to Christ, Maria Kokkinaki and the mayor of France did a good job.

Photini Taylor

The part about St. Kyriaki standing firm at only 21 really struck me too. It’s good they placed the new memorial right in the church courtyard; it ties the fallen and the saints together nicely. Have you been to the parish for a feast there before, Mark?

Светлана Андреева

It’s good that Metropolitan Kirill reminded us of the words “be holy, for I am holy.” Otherwise, nowadays everything changes so quickly that you forget what is important. The memorial at the Church of St. Christopher is the right place, even if the fallen and St. Kyriaki are nearby.

Emily Bennett

The bit about St. Kyriaki holding firm in her faith at just 21 really stayed with me too. It’s a strong answer to how scattered everything feels these days. Nice they put the new memorial right in the courtyard of St. Christopher’s so the fallen are remembered beside the saint.

Elizabeth King

The part about St. Kyriaki’s steadfast faith at 21 really hit home for me too. I like how the new memorial sits right in the courtyard of St. Christopher’s—it keeps the memory of the fallen close to the liturgy. Have you seen the bread they blessed that night? It was some of the best I’ve had from that parish.

Μαρία Παππά

Metropolitan Kirillos' speech about Saint Kyriaki in her 21st year stayed with me as well. For such a little girl to stand in the face of martyrdom and not bend, this shows what it means to "become holy". It's good that they put the monument to the fallen right next to Agios Christopheros, next to the festival.

Георгий Иванов

Yes, Metropolitan Kirill’s speech about the 21-year-old Saint Kyriaki and the words “be holy” are right on point. It’s good that the monument to the fallen was erected right in the courtyard of the Church of St. Christopher - next to the liturgy and with the bread that was blessed. The place is right.

Олег Олійник

I agree, Ivan, the story of Saint Kyriakia at the age of 21 is really impressive - such a strong faith at such a young age. It is good that the monument to the fallen was erected right next to the church of St. Christopher, now you can approach it immediately after vespers. Have you been to such parties in Paheia Ammos?

Светлана Кузнецова

Yes, these words from Leviticus are always like an anchor. In our parish in Rostov, they also often remind us, especially when young people come. And the memorial at the church is sure to ensure that both the memory of the fallen and Saint Kyriaki are in one place, next to the living. Do you sometimes go to such pangiri?

Elizabeth Johnson

The part about her being only 21 and holding firm really stuck with me too. I thought it was smart to put the memorial right there in the courtyard so people pass it every time they come for services. The artos was excellent that night; Maria from the philoptochos told me they used her grandmother’s recipe with extra anise.

Grace Turner

The age of 21 really does make her stand-out even more, doesn’t it? I liked that the bishop tied her example straight to the command “be holy as I am holy”; it felt practical instead of abstract. The artos was good, but I still think the one they do for St. George in November edges it out a bit.

Thomas Wright

That courtyard spot does make you stop and think every time you walk in. I liked how the bishop tied St. Kyriaki’s age and courage straight to that call to be holy in our own messy world. Maria’s grandmother’s anise twist on the artos was spot on; I had two pieces.

Christopher Moore

The 21 years does hit hard – makes you wonder how many of us would hold firm at that age. I thought the bishop’s link to “be holy as I am holy” landed well too; it’s the sort of line you can actually take home. Haven’t tried the artos at St George’s yet, so I’ll keep an eye out for it next November.