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Anthimos of Alexandroupolis in the Diocese of Kissamostranslated

July 13, 2026 · 1 min read

The Holy Diocese of Kissamos and Selinos had the pleasure of welcoming Rev. Metropolitan of Alexandroupolis Mr. Anthimos, who in the previous days participated in the work of the 2nd Conference of the International Observatory of Religious Fundamentalism, which was held at the Orthodox Academy of Crete. It is about an Observatory that belongs to the Holy Metropolis of Alexandroupolis, with a great and remarkable work and contribution. The Most Reverend Metropolitan of Kissamos, Mr. Amfilochios, who participated in the work of the International Conference and addressed a short greeting, welcomed, with respect and love, Rev. Metropolitan of Alexandroupolis Mr. Anthimos in the Holy Metropolis. In the little free time he had, the visiting Hierarch had the opportunity to visit the Holy Patriarchal and Holy Cross Monastery of Gonia. In addition, he visited the holy pilgrimage of Saint Nikiforos the Leper and was guided to the Tsatsaronaki Cultural Polycenter of the Holy Metropolis.

"With joy, honor, respect and love, we welcome you to us, here in Hesperia Crete, to the place of our humble ministry, and we ask that you pray for our nothingness, the holy clergy and our people. …

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Laura Clark

It was nice to read that Metropolitan Anthimos found time to pray at the Monastery of Gonia and venerate St Nikephoros the Leper even with a tight schedule. The work of that International Observatory on Religious Fundamentalism sounds useful. I hope his visit brought some encouragement to the clergy and people in Kissamos.

Максим Шевченко

It is good that Bishop Antimos had time to pray in the Gonia monastery and worship the relics of Saint Nikephoros the Leper, even when time was short. I liked that the observatory from Alexandroupolis deals with fundamentalism - the topic is important. I would like to read what exactly was discussed at that congress in the Orthodox Academy of Crete.

Ondrej Novák

It's nice that even with the rushed schedule, Vladyka Anthimos managed to pray in the Gonia monastery and bow to Saint Nikephoros the Leper. That Alexandroupolis observatory sounds useful to me, especially when dealing with fundamentalism. I wonder if anything concrete came out of that congress.

Ольга Марченко

Yes, it is nice that even in the busy schedule of Bishop Antimos, he managed to visit the Gonia Monastery and the relics of St. Nicephorus. As for the observatory, it would be interesting to know whether they are planning further meetings in Ukraine. Maxim, have you read any of their materials yourself?

Наталія Марченко

Yes, it is nice to see that even after the conference, he found time for Gonia and the relic of St. Nicephorus - this is not just a "tick", but real worship. Regarding the observatory, I read their report for the past year, there is a lot about Africa and the Middle East. And you, Olga, are you yourself interested in their publications or did you just ask?

Yes, I also noticed that Bishop Antimos did not just "drop in", but rather worshiped in Gonia and near the relics of St. Nikephoros - that's for real. I read their report for the past year, there is really a lot about Africa. As for Ukraine, I didn't hear that they were planning, have you heard anything?

Михайло Бойко

Yes, it is worship in Gonia and near the relics of St. Nikephoros shows that a person did not just come to make a mark on a piece of paper. As for Ukraine, I haven't heard about their plans either, maybe it's better to look for it in the reports at that congress. Where did you read the report for last year, on the metropolitan website?

Людмила Шевчук

Yes, worship in Gonia and near the relics of St. Nicephorus is the real deal, not just a protocol. I read the report for the past year on the Metropolitan's website, there really isn't much about Ukraine. Did you hear something specific from one of the congress participants?

Дарина Савченко

Yes, precisely in Gonia and near the relics of St. Nicephorus can see that this is not a formality. I also read the report on the website, there really is almost nothing mentioned about Ukraine. And what do you think, why do they write so little about us?

Олег Мельник

Yes, in Gonia and near the relics of St. Nicephorus really feels true faith, not for a tick. It seems to me that they don't write much about Ukraine, because they have their branch in Crete, and there they pay more attention to fundamentalism in the world in general, and not to specific countries. And what do you think, is it deliberate or simply due to lack of time at the conference?

Yes, in Gonia and near the relics of St. Nicephorus, everything is really real, without ostentation. It seems to me that they do not write much about Ukraine, because their center is precisely in Crete and they look more at fundamentalism in the whole world, and not at one country. And what do you think, is this a conscious position or simply because they have their own subject matter?

Юлія Коваленко

Yes, worshiping in Gonia and the relics of St. Nicephorus is also the most important thing for me. Last summer, my husband and daughter and I went to the same center for a picnic after the service, it is really cozy there. Did you yourself read the reports from that congress or only the annual report?

Максим Савченко

Yes, in Gonia and near the relics of St. Nikephoros really does everything live, without formality. It seems to me that they don't write much about Ukraine, because their center deals with fundamentalism all over the world, and does not focus on one topic. And what do you think, should they pay more attention to our situation?

Олександр Коваль

Yes, in Gonia and near the relics of St. Nikephoros really feels genuine, without excess. I think it's more because of their subject matter - they record fundamentalism all over the world, and not fixate on one country. And you yourself were in that center in Crete?

Сергій Мороз

Yes, the relics of St. Nicephorus are also a special place for me, it is always quiet there and prayer is easy. Last year, my son and I also visited Gonia after the service, and that time we grilled sausages in the center - it was really cozy. And in what month were you at that picnic?