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The Archbishop of Crete in Kalamariatranslated

July 5, 2026 · 1 min read

Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, was visited on Sunday, July 5, 2026 by the Most Reverend Archbishop of Crete, Mr. Eugenios, responding to the invitation of the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Nea Krini and Kalamaria, Mr. Ioustinos, in order to participate in the events of historical memory and respect organized in the area in honor of the Cretans in Macedonia. His Eminence officiated at the Mass of the Orthrus and was presided over by the Arch-Priest Collaborator at the Holy Cathedral of Agios Nikolaos Aretsos, co-ministers of the local Pastor, Metropolitan of Nea Krini and Kalamaria, Mr. Ioustinos and the Theophilist Bishop of Abydos, Mr. Grigorios, while he was also present praying and the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Velestino Mr. Damaskinos. Afterwards, the High Priestly Memorial was held for the repose of the souls of Cretans who had fallen asleep in Macedonia.

In his sermon to the congregation, the Archbishop of Crete expressed his deep emotion for the warm welcome accorded him by the Macedonian faithful and referred to the historical ties of Crete with Macedonia, but also to the memory of the refugee and the uprooting. "I don't feel like a stranger, I don't feel like a guest, because love...

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Марко Николовски

Nice that they mentioned the memo about the Cretans in Macedonia. I remember how my grandmother told me about those families who came from Crete and settled with us in Bitola. May it be an eternal memory for them.

Νίκος Αναγνώστου

Archbishop Evgenios did well to go. The memorial for the Cretans of Macedonia is important, as Marko says about his grandmother from Crete who settled in Bitola. We never forget those who rooted here with pain.

Νίκη Λαμπροπούλου

I agree, Nico. This memorial keeps alive the memory of those families who came with their little and rebuilt life in Macedonia. The grandmother of Markos from Crete that you mention reminds me of my own aunt who had settled near Thessaloniki and until the end she said "my home is there, but my heart is here".

Θεοδώρα Μακρή

Niki, you said it well with that phrase of your aunt. My own grandmother from Chania also came to Thessaloniki after 22 and I remember her saying "we raised our children here, but you never forget the soil of Crete". However, I am glad that such commemorations bring these stories back to the surface. How did you find out about your aunt's story?

Наталья Соколова

My friend’s grandmother from Chania also had these words about “το χώμα της Κρήτης”. It’s good that Archbishop Eugene came and celebrated a memorial service in Aresus, and not just talked. Memory should be with prayer, and not just with stories.

Десислава Иванова

I really liked that Archbishop Eugene said "I don't feel like a stranger, I don't feel like a guest". That's right - when my grandmother told me about the Cretan families who settled near Varna after the 22nd, she kept repeating that faith and memory made them her own. It's good that the prayer service was in the church "St. Nicholas" in Aretsusi, and not just speeches.

Юрій Мороз

I liked how Archbishop Yevgeny said "Not αισθάνομαι ξένος, δεν αισθάνομαι γιαστέρούμενος". It is so - when my grandfather from Chania was near Thessaloniki after the 22nd, he also said that he immediately became his own in the church. It is good that the prayers were held in Agios Nikolaos Arets, and not just in words.

Corina Tudor

I'm glad that they mentioned exactly the words of Archbishop Eugeniu: "I don't feel like a stranger, I don't feel like a guest." My husband's grandmother, from a family of Cretans who settled near Thessaloniki after '22, used to say the same thing when she went to church - you immediately felt at home there. It's good that the memorial service was also held at Saint Nicholas in Aretsou, not just speeches.

Κώστας Χατζής

You say it well Niko, this memorial is not a mere formality. I also remember my grandfather who came from Chania and worked in the factories here around the 30s; he always said that Macedonia accepted him as its own, despite the pain. How did you learn the story of Markus?

Ελένη Κωνσταντίνου

Well said Niko, this memorial keeps the memory alive. I remember my grandmother talking about her brother who stayed in Macedonia and never saw him again. How did Marcos manage to find so many details about his grandmother?

Νίκη Θεοδώρου

Yes, Helen, these memorials are what keep the stories alive. Your grandmother was right in saying that, my own mother had told me about a cousin from Chania who got lost in the same places. Mark probably asked the old men of the village and dusted off the church records, as they usually do. Do you remember any names from your grandmother's brother?

Георгий Новиков

I agree, Natalya, the memorial service in Aresus is the most correct thing. Here in Rostov we also remember our own people who came from Crete in the 20s, but always with prayer, and not just in words. And what exactly did the grandmother of a friend from Chania say about “το χώμα της Κρήτης”?

Yes Niki, my grandmother always said that her brother's name was Giannis and he disappeared somewhere near Thessaloniki in '22. I don't remember more details, but maybe I'll look in the papers my mother left me. Marcos did well to ask the old ones, these things should not be lost.

Χριστίνα Νικολαΐδου

Yes Eleni, you are doing well and looking in your mother's papers. My own grandmother from Chania also had a cousin who disappeared in Mikrasia in '22 and we never found a trace of him. These stories are good to write before they are completely lost.