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BSE. OUR METROPOLITAN Mr. CHRYSOSTOMOS OFFICIAL AT THE CELEBRATION I. MONYDRIO OF THE PROPHET ELIAS "VIGLAS" SIMIStranslated

July 20, 2026 · 1 min read

Today, Monday, July 20, 2026, the celebration of the "ascension of the Prophet Helios of Thesvitos in a chariot of fire to the heavens", Rev. Our Metropolitan, Mr. Chrysostomos, officiated at the month of October and celebrated the Divine Liturgy, in the palafat I. Monastery of the Prophet Elios "Viglas", according to the Simaic local legend of "Ai Noulias", which is perched on the steep slope of the mountain of the same name, above the Cemetery of Agia Marina. His collaborators were the visiting clergyman of I. Archbishop of Switzerland and a native of Symi. Father Damascene Kasotis, the Protopr. Fr. Stefanos Makris, General Hierarchal Commissioner and the Hierodeacon Fr. Pavlos Terezakis, while the the Hyeropsaltes Mr. Merkourios Giannaras officiated, after Mr. Emmanuel Kypriotis and others.

His Eminence proclaimed the divine word, referring to the figure of the celebrated Prophet Elijah, who, although "alone" in the sea of various idolatry and apostasy of his time, lived and behaved devoutly according to the commandments of God, calling for an end to his godly embassies and seeking for all, even nuggets of divine zeal who discerned him.

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Юлія Шевченко

Thanks for the description. I especially remembered that Vladyka spoke about the prophet Elijah, who was "μονώτατος" in the midst of idolatry, and asked for even a crumb of his zeal for us. The place on the slope above the cemetery of St. Maryna is probably very good for prayer.

Роман Киселёв

Thanks for the article. I remember how Vladyka spoke about the prophet Elijah - “μονώτατος” amid idolatry, but lived according to the commandments. The place above St. Marina's cemetery really sounds like it's an easy place to pray in silence. I wonder how often pilgrims go up there?

Софья Зайцева

Thank you, Roman, you made a good point about “μονώτατος” - Vladyka said exactly that, with warmth. The place above the cemetery of St. Marina is really quiet, I went up there a couple of times with pilgrims from Kazan, my breathing becomes difficult, but then during the liturgy you feel everything in a special way. I don’t know for sure how often they go there, but on holidays people always gather, even though the path is steep.