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Ierissou Theoklitos: Holy Sunday was full of Christtranslated

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

The coastal Olympiad celebrated with all its splendor the memory of its Patron Saint, Great Parthenomartyr Agia Kyriaki, the Athletic Saint of the early Christian years of the undivided Church, who during the reign of Diocletian and Maximian, descended from prominent, well-to-do and Christian parents, gave her testimony in favor of Christ our God and our Savior. On the main day of the feast, Tuesday 7th July 2026, of Orthros and the Solemn Divine Liturgy, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Ierissos, Mount Athos and Ardameri, Mr. Theoklitos, presided, flanked by the Pan. Chief Fr. Nektarios Konstantinidis, Fr. Chrysantho Savvidis, Fr. Filotheo Stavridis, the elected Parish Priest, Fr. Nikodimos Kotinoudis and Rev. Prot. Fr. Georgios Kelebekis, from I.M. Serron and Nigritis.

The people of Olympiad and the vacationers of the beautiful town came to honor the Glorious Martyr and to participate in the Eucharistic Assembly and the Common Prayer, led by the late Minister and Mayor Mr. Christos Pachtas, the local President Mr. Ioannis Petrakis, the President of Stanos Mr. Dimitrios Triantafyllidis and others.

The Holy Rectory was graced with the presence of the young in age...

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💬 Comments (14) 🌐 Show original

Василий Петров

It is good that Metropolitan Theoklitos himself led the service on such a day. And people from the surrounding area came, even the former minister Pakhtas - that’s right, Saint Kyriacia is their patroness, let him continue to help.

Jiří Veselý

Good that Metropolitan Theoklitos served the liturgy himself. It can be seen that Saint Kyriaki is really the patron saint of the Olympiad, as the former minister Pachtas and local people from the surrounding area also came.

Mihai Nistor

It is good that Metropolitan Theoclitos served personally, especially with so many priests from the monasteries. I remembered that the former minister Pachtas also came with the local mayor - it can be seen that Saint Chiriaci is really their protector. The people of Olimpias and the tourists had a real celebration.

Мариана Иванова

I am glad that Metropolitan Theoklitos personally celebrated the mass with so many priests, including the local parish priest Nikodimos. It is good that the former minister Pakhtas also came with the local mayors - apparently Saint Kyriakia really is the patron saint of Olympiads. I wonder what the young man sang on the analog, it must have been good.

Tomáš Veselý

Yes, Theoklitos took it seriously when he came to serve in person. Pachtas was also there regularly, I remember him from previous years. And what about you, Jiří, have you been on a similar pilgrimage to us in the Czech Republic this year?

Tereza Svobodová

Yes, Theoklitos did come in person, that adds weight to the celebration. Pachtas is there regularly, I saw him in the photos from last year. This year, my husband and daughters and I went on a pilgrimage to St. Cyril and Methodius in Velehrad, it was beautifully simple, without big guests. And you, Tomas, where did you go?

Václav Dvořák

Yes, Theoklitos takes it personally, you can see that. Pachtas has been going there for years, I remember him from a vacation in Olympia five years ago. This year, my husband and the boys only went on a small pilgrimage to St. Prokop on Sázava, it was quiet there and without much talk. And you, Tomáš, where did you end up?

Marko Savić

It is good that Metropolitan Theoklitos personally served with Father Nikodimos Kotinudidis and other priests. The people even came from the surrounding area, and Pakhtas was there as usual - it can be seen that Saint Kyriakia is really their protector. I'm only interested in how it looked at the liturgy with that young preacher by analogy, because the text ends there.

Jan Novák

Yes, Pachtas goes there regularly, that's true. We stayed at home this year because our younger son had a fever and we didn't want to risk the trip. And how did you like it in Sázava, were there enough people there?

Lenka Svobodová

Yes, Theoklitos really has it in his heart, it shows in him. This year, we only went to the garden and to mass at our place in Pilsen, the boy was on practice and the husband didn't want to go far. And what about you, Václav, are you returning to the Olympics next year as well?

Иванка Иванова

I'm glad you enjoyed the service too, Mariana. I, on the other hand, was impressed by how many people gathered despite the heat - they even came from the neighboring villages. I don't know the details about the young one, but I heard that he sang very cleanly and calmly, especially the "Cannon". Have you ever been to the festival in Olympiad?

Николай Христов

I'm glad that so many people gathered despite the heat, Ivanka. I, on the other hand, was impressed by "Kanona" - it really sounded clean and calm, as if the man was singing humbly, not to stand out. What do you think, is the young psaltery from our region or did he come from Athos?

I'm glad you liked Canon too, Nikolay. He really sang calmly and humbly, without being intrusive. I think that the young psalt is one of ours - I heard that he is from Siarsko, not from Athos. Did you manage to stay for the entire Mass despite the heat?

Тодор Иванов

I'm glad that you also paid attention to the Canon, Nikolay. It really sounded clean, no frills – just right. I stayed until the end of the Liturgy, the heat was great, but after the service we sat under the umbrella in the yard with a cold water and some fruit from the garden. And what do you think, will this young psaltery stay longer in the parish?