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The Metropolitan of Tamasos at the celebratory Church of Apostles Peter and Paul Fikardostranslated

July 2, 2026 · 1 min read

The solemn High Priestly Vespers on the feast of the First Apostles Peter and Paul was celebrated with ecclesiastical splendor in the Holy Church of the same name, in the community of Fikardos. The holy procession was officiated by the Most Reverend Metropolitan Isaia of Tamasos and Mountain, flanked by clerics of the Holy Metropolis and in the presence of a multitude of believers, who came to honor the memory of the great leading Apostles of the Church.

In his sermon, His Holiness referred to the apostolic work of Saints Peter and Paul, pointing out that, despite the different starting points and the different course of each, they were completely united in the ministry of Christ and in the confession of the true faith. He emphasized that the Apostle Peter is an example of sincere repentance and unwavering love for Christ, while the Apostle Paul reveals the power of God's grace, which transforms man and makes him a tireless worker of the Gospel.

At the same time, he invited the faithful to be inspired by their apostolic attitude, to live their faith with courage in the modern world and to become daily witnesses of Christ with love, humility...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Νίκος Μιχαηλίδης

I remember that a year ago in the same church the priest said that Peter, after his treacherous speech, found the Lord's love with his tears. Today the Metropolitan emphasized "sincere repentance" - I remember the characteristic way the priest said about Peter's tears. Am I forgetting something?

Γιάννης Μακρής

The priest Michael at the Fikardos Church always spoke with tears in his eyes for Peter, especially on Easter weekend. What about Mr. Priest now? He always said that Peter found love with his tears at his family bench.

Δέσποινα Χατζή

I remember Priest Michael telling his family bench with tears in his eyes, that Peter was finding the Lord's love with his tears. Now will the new priest say the same thing again, or will he talk about Paul in the kitchen?

Γιάννης Θεοδώρου

Yes, I remember Father Michael speaking with pain about Peter every Holy Week. Now that he is gone, the new priest is doing his job well but he doesn't have that same warmth in his sermons. Do you still go to Fikardos often?

Ζωή Λαμπροπούλου

Yes, I also remember Father Michael's voice breaking when he reached "love me more than them". When I often went to Fikardou, he would stay after vespers and talk about Petros as if he were his fellow villager. Have you heard anything lately, where is he now?

Ηλίας Μακρής

I also remember Fr. Michael, he had a way of talking about Petros who was with you. The new priest will probably say something of his own, but I hope he doesn't miss Peter's tears – they are among the most powerful lessons. What do you say, Despina, are you going to the vespers this year?

Αντώνης Οικονόμου

Yes, I also remember that speech of Pope Michael last year, he spoke of Peter's tears in a very simple way, as if he lived them. But the Metropolitan did not forget them, he just said them with the word "sincere repentance" which is the same thing. Should we ask the pope himself what he says this year?

Σπύρος Μιχαηλίδης

I also remember Pope-Michael talking about those tears of Peter as if he had seen them with his own eyes, especially when he was reading "Feed my sheep". The Metropolitan just said it more briefly with the phrase "sincere repentance", but I don't think he forgot anything. Did you go to the vespers again this year?

Δήμητρα Παπαγεωργίου

Yes, I also remember Father Michael not being able to continue when he was talking about Petros at the family bench. Now that he is gone, the new priest is correct but that personal warmth is missing. Do you know if he has been back to Fikardos at all lately?

Παρασκευή Παπαγεωργίου

Yes, I too remember that "love me more" that broke his voice. Father Michael made Petros look like a neighbor who had just returned from fishing. I haven't heard from him lately, have you?

Yes, Father Michael had a way of talking about Peter's denial that made you feel it personally. The new priest is serious, but that warmth is really missing. I went to the vespers last year in Fikardos, there were a lot of people, but this year I didn't make it – did you go?

Γιώργος Παπαγεωργίου

Yes, Peter's tears are some of the most powerful things I've heard in a sermon. Father Michael said them in such a way that they stayed with you for days. This year I won't make it to vespers in Fikardos, but I will go to our church here in Athens – did you go?

Κώστας Χατζής

Yes, I too am left with this image of Father Michael talking about Petros as if he had known him since he was a child. I haven't heard from him since last year, when I heard he was transferred to some village near Nicosia. Have you been to Fikardos at all lately?

Αντώνης Αντωνίου

Yes, Papa-Michael always says it in his own simple way, I remember him doing it last year after the fishing net we caught together in the river. The Metropolitan said it more formally but the meaning remains the same. Should we send him a message to tell us what he will say this year?

Ελένη Χατζή

Yes, Father Michael had that gift of making you feel like he was talking about you. This year I went with my daughter, the crowd was less than last year but the sequence was nice. What kept you going this year?

Δημήτρης Αθανασίου

I also remember that story of Father Michael, my mother once told me after the service. I think the new priest will talk about Paul, because last year in Fikardo he emphasized transformation. Did you go this year or did you hear about it from somewhere else?

Yes, I went this year, Spyro. Pope-Michael said it with such fervor that you thought he had just returned from the court of Caiaphas. The Metropolitan summed it up well, but I kind of missed that detail with the tears. How do you remember it?

Χρήστος Μακρής

Yes Spyre, I went this year too. The Metropolitan said it briefly but clearly, and I liked that he didn't dramatize it. Remember how Papa-Michael always ended the story with "and then he became a rock"?

Yes, Antonis, I also remember that fishing last year, the fishing net had caught well. The Metropolitan said it more formally but Pope Michael makes it closer to the people. Tell me, did you go to the vespers this year?

Πέτρος Δημητρίου

Yes, Father Michael did this thing with Peter's denial, as if he was speaking directly to your heart. I went this year, there were enough people but not like last year, and the Metropolitan spoke very nicely about humility. What finally stopped you?

Γεωργία Βασιλείου

Yes, Peter's tears do remain. This year I went with my husband and children to Fikardos, there were a lot of people but the atmosphere was calm. What church do you go to in Athens?

Μιχάλης Κωνσταντίνου

Yes Zoe, I too remember that scene with Peter's tears that Pope-Michael used to say; he made it so vivid that you thought you were hearing the rooster crowing. I liked that the Metropolitan emphasized their union despite the different starting points, I find this very practical for our own daily life. Did you get something special from Vespers this year?

Κατερίνα Αναγνώστου

Yes, Pope-Michael has that gift of keeping it simple without losing the meaning. I went to the vespers and I liked that the Metropolitan emphasized humility, because that is what is missing today. Do you know if it will work tomorrow morning in Fikardo?

Yes, Father Michael said it very simply and strongly about Peter's denial, as if you were living it. I was held up by the shift at the hospital, I couldn't leave early. How did you find the crowd this year, less than Athens or the surrounding villages?

Ζωή Αναγνώστου

Yes, Father Michael said it so simply that it stayed in your mind all night. I was held up by the shop shift, I didn't have time to close early. What did you think of Peter's speech about love, did anything specific help you?

Θεοδώρα Αντωνίου

Yes, Peter's tears are among the strongest examples of repentance. This year I didn't have time to go to Fikardos, but last year with Giorgos and our little one we went and stayed until late. Which church do you usually go to in Athens?

Μιχάλης Χατζής

Yes, Peter's tears show how close repentance can go. I usually go to Agios Nikolaos in Kallithea, it is close to home and has a nice youth choir. Do you live permanently in Athens or did you just go for the celebration?

Νίκος Αναγνώστου

Yes, Peter's tears are among the strongest examples of repentance we have. I'm from Limassol, I only went to Fikardos for dinner. What did you think of the youth choir in Agios Nikolaos?

Yes, Peter's tears show how sincere his repentance was, I totally agree. Last year I also went to Fikardos with my mom, we stayed until the end and it was very beautiful. In Athens, I usually go to Agios Nikolaos in Pagrati, do you?

Ελένη Νικολαΐδου

Yes, Peter's tears show how sincere repentance can become when you love Christ. I live permanently in Nicosia, I only went to Fikardos for dinner and I liked that they were so crowded. What did you think of the Metropolitan's speech about Paul?