Corfu Nektarios: "Our Lady opens the way to freedom and resistance"translated

On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the day on which our Church celebrates the Birthday of Our Lady of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Corfu, Paxos and the Diapontian Islands, Mr. Nektarios, officiated and spoke at the historic Church of the Most Holy Theotokos of Faneromenis, "Our Lady of Foreigners", in the center of of Corfu town. Collaborating with His Eminence were the General Hierarchal Commissioner of the Holy Metropolis, Protopresbyter Themistocles Mourtzanos, the vicar of the Holy Church, Protopresbyter Spyridon Mandylas, Priests from the neighboring parishes, as well as the Deacons of His Eminence. The hymns of the feast were performed by a dance of cantors under the direction of the Director of the School of Byzantine Music of the Holy Metropolis, "Saint Arsenios", Mr. Nikolaos Makropoulos, in an even and overwhelming manner.

It is worth noting that the attendance of the faithful was particularly large, as a large number of Corfu residents as well as visitors to the island flooded the historic Holy Church, in order to participate in the Divine Liturgy and commemorate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

During his speech, His Holiness referred to the deeper meaning of the celebration of the Birthday of the Most Holy...