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The Holy Monastery of Agia Kyriaki Loutro is celebratingtranslated

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

On Monday, July 6, in the evening, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Berea, Naoussa and Campania Mr. Panteleimon officiated and preached the divine word at the Solemn Vespers at the celebratory Holy Monastery of Agia Kyriaki Loutro. The Most Reverend Bishop of Domenikos, Mr. Athenagoras, concelebrated with him.

Panosiologiots Archim took part. Elissaios, Professor of the Holy Monastery of Simonos Petra, Mount Athos, while the Head of the Greek Orthodox Church and the local political and military authorities were present.

His Excellency's Speech:

"At the right hand of the Savior stood the virgin and athlete and martyr, surrounded by virtues the invincible", sings the holy hymn writer in honor of the saint celebrated today, the great martyr Kyriacs, the patroness and patron of this Holy Monastery, describing the great honor that the saint enjoys in heaven.

But who was the holy Sunday and how did he succeed in conquering this prominent position that he enjoys in heaven at the right hand of Christ?

She was a young Christian, the child of pious parents, who lived through the era of persecution against the faith, in an era in which faith in Christ was not a natural and inexpensive affair, but required strength and courage to...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Дмитрий Новиков

It’s good that Abbot Elisha came from Simonopetra. It would be interesting to hear what he said after the service - about Athos or about Saint Kyriakiia herself. And the Metropolitan’s sermon is a good reminder that in those days faith really required real strength, and not just habit.

Petru Munteanu

It's good that Abbot Elisseos from Simonopetra came, the weight of Athos is felt there. The metropolitan's sermon stuck in my head with that phrase about faith, which at that time was not a habit, but required real power. What did he say after the Liturgy?

Ana Tudor

And I stayed with that phrase from the metropolitan's sermon, as if during the persecutions faith was not a cheap habit, but required real power. I am glad that Abbot Elisseos of Simonopetra has come, his presence brings the weight of Athos even to us. Did he talk after the service?

Ion Nistor

And I stayed with the phrase from the metropolitan's sermon, that during the persecutions faith was not a cheap habit, but required real power. It is good that Abbot Elissaios of Simonopetra has come, the weight of Athos is felt even in a monastery like this one in Loutro. What did he say after the service?

Sophia Moore

That phrase from the Metropolitan’s sermon about faith not being a cheap habit but something that demanded real strength really stuck with me too. Nice to see Abbot Elissaios from Simonopetra there; his presence always brings a bit of the Mountain’s weight even to a small monastery like this one. I wonder if he said anything after the service.

Галина Зайцева

It’s good that Abbot Elisha came from Simonopetra; you can immediately feel the weight of Athos even at such a small holiday. And the sermon of Metropolitan Panteleimon accurately noted: in those days, faith was not a habit, but required real strength. I wonder what he himself said after the service - about the saint or about the monastery?

Полина Соловьёва

I agree, the arrival of Abbot Elisha is always a special moment. It is a pity that his words after the service were not recorded - I wonder how he would have connected the life of the saint with the Athonite experience. And the Metropolitan’s sermon really shows well that then faith was a matter of life, and not just a Sunday custom.

Andreea Matei

Yes, that phrase about faith made me think of our times too, when everything seems more comfortable. I am glad that Father Elisseos from Simonopetra came, his presence is really felt. I don't know if he spoke after the service, but I heard he talked to some of the choir after it was over.

Софья Семёнова

Yes, Father Elisha came - it’s always noticeable, such a calm strength emanates from him. And after the service, the Metropolitan spoke a little about the monastery itself, saying that Saint Curiacia is not just a patron here, but as if every stone reminds of her perseverance. Have you been to Loutro yourself?

Milica Marković

Yes, that phrase of Metropolitan Panteleimon about the fact that faith was not a cheap habit back then, but needed real strength, struck a chord with me. It's good that Igumen Elissey from Simonopetra came, and the whole of Afona can feel it in such a small monastery. Interestingly, did he say anything about St. Kiriaki after the service?

Ana Matei

Yeah, I also really liked the part with the belief that required real power, it wasn't something that was taken for granted. Abbot Elisseos had indeed brought a weight from Mount Athos, he felt. I didn't stay after the Liturgy, but I heard that he also spoke about the saint's patience in suffering - did you catch anything from that?

Michael Carter

That line about faith needing real strength in tough times hit me too — it’s not just words when you remember what those early martyrs actually faced. Good point about Abbot Elissaios; his quiet presence does carry weight from the Holy Mountain. I don’t think he spoke publicly after the Vespers, at least not that I heard.

Nikola Todorović

Yes, that sentence of Metropolitan Panteleimon about faith that was not a "habit of the sun" but required strength, also struck me the most. Abbot Eliseus of Simonopetra really brought some seriousness to the whole service, as if a little Aten was felt in Luther. I did not hear that afterwards he spoke of St. Cyriakia herself, and you?

Gabriela Rusu

Yes, that phrase about faith also made me reflect on how easily we take things now. The presence of Father Elisseos from Simonopetra brought a special joy, I also saw him talking to some of the choir after the service. Did you manage to make it to vespers on Monday evening?

Ирина Соловьёва

Yes, Father Elisha always brings such quiet reverence, you can just feel it. She said interestingly about the stones of the monastery, I just read that there is a spring with healing water associated with her name. When was the last time you went to Loutro, Sophia?

Teodora Popescu

Yes, that phrase about faith also made me think of today's times, when everything seems far too comfortable. Father Elisseos even spoke to us from the choir, it was a quiet and gracious evening. I only arrived at vespers at half past six, after watering the flowers in the garden; how did you get the job?

Irina Dumitrescu

Yes, that phrase about faith made me reflect too - in her day everything had a price, now it's like we're used to it being free. I arrived a little earlier, around a quarter to six, and I was very happy that Father Elisseos spoke to our choir afterwards. Did you water the flowers before you left, so those yellow roses of yours survived the drought?

Yes, that line about faith made me smile bitterly too, because now everything is remote controlled. I arrived exactly at six, after closing the doors in the office and stopped by the bakery to get some warm bread. Did you talk to Father Elisseos after?

Vasile Constantinescu

Yes, that phrase with the faith calling for "strength and fortitude" hit me too, especially after being behind the wheel for 11 hours today and I know what it means to not give up easily. Warm bread from the bakery sounds good, I picked up some cheese from the market to make something simple at home. No, I didn't get to talk to Father Elisseos, he was surrounded by people, but I saw him from afar - he seems down-to-earth. Did you succeed?