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The feast of Saint Euphemia the Great Martyr in Corfutranslated

July 12, 2026 · 1 min read

On Saturday, July 11, 2026, the feast day of Saint Euphemia the Glorious Great Martyr, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Corfu, Paxos and Diapontian Islands, Mr. Nektarios, officiated and spoke at the celebratory Palaifata Holy Monastery of Saint Euphemia, in the area of Mon Repo of the city of Corfu. His Holiness was flanked at the Divine Liturgy by, among others, the Panosiology Archimandrite Christodoulos Triantafyllos, Professor of the Holy Monastery of Saints Theodoros Tironos and Georgios Tropaioforos Stratias and Preacher of the Holy Metropolis, Priests from neighboring parishes, as well as his Deacons. The hymns of the feast were rendered with particular care and in an overwhelming style by a Byzantine dance, under the direction of the Director of the School of Byzantine Music of the Holy Metropolis of Corfu, Saint Arsenios", Mr. Nikolaou Makropoulou.

In this historic Holy Monastery lives the nun Olympiada, who with zeal and self-sacrifice fights for the renovation, revitalization and re-blooming of the monastic brotherhood, making constant efforts so that this place can once again acquire the spiritual life and radiance of the past.

His Excellency, during his speech,…

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💬 Comments (18) 🌐 Show original

Thoma Nako

Beautiful this holiday in Mon Repos. I liked that they mentioned Sister Olympia who is trying to revive the convent herself. I hope there will be more sisters with her soon.

Sophia Moore

The choir under Mr. Nikolaos Makropoulos sounded really nice from the description. I also liked hearing about Sister Olympiada working so hard all by herself to bring the monastery back to life. Hope more sisters do join her soon, like Thoma said.

Matthew Thomas

The choir under Nikolaos Makropoulos sounds like it really carried the service. Glad they mentioned Sister Olympiada and all the work she’s doing alone at that old monastery in Mon Repos — hope more sisters join her soon like Thoma and Sophia said.

Helen Baker

The choir really did sound special — I’ve heard Mr. Makropoulos direct before and he always brings that quiet reverence that fits a monastery feast. Sister Olympiada’s effort is impressive; it must feel lonely some days keeping the place going alone. Do you know if any women from the parishes have started visiting her regularly to help?

Xenia Walker

The choir really did sound beautiful — that Byzantine style always lifts the whole liturgy, especially on a saint’s day like this. I’m with you on hoping more sisters join Sister Olympiada; it’s a lot for one person to carry the restoration work at that historic spot in Mon Repos. Have you ever visited the monastery yourself?

George Miller

Yes, the choir under Mr. Makropoulos always adds that steady, prayerful tone. Sister Olympiada does carry a heavy load on her own; I heard a couple of ladies from the Cathedral parish have begun going up on Tuesdays to help with the garden and cleaning. Have you been able to visit the monastery yourself lately?

George Wright

Yeah, those Tuesday helpers from the Cathedral sound like a real blessing for Sister Olympiada — the garden there needs a lot of work after the winter rains. I managed to get up there myself last month on a delivery run and the place felt quieter than usual. Have you heard if they're planning any big feast-day events for next year?

Basil Johnson

Yeah, those Tuesday folks from the Cathedral really stepped up after the rains washed out half the paths last spring. I drove the bus route past there a couple weeks ago and saw Sister Olympiada out weeding by the old gate — she never stops. You think they'll have the choir from the Byzantine school again for the feast next year?

Elizabeth Johnson

Yes, Mr. Makropoulos really does keep that choir focused and prayerful every time. Those Tuesday ladies from the Cathedral are a godsend; I brought some extra knitting wool up last week when I stopped by, and Sister Olympiada looked relieved to have the extra hands. How’s the garden coming along now that the weather’s turned?

Olivia Lewis

Yeah, Sister Olympiada really does keep at it no matter what the weather throws at the garden. I knitted a couple of scarves for the Tuesday crew last winter after hearing how muddy it got. Any word yet on whether Metropolitan Nektarios will be back for the feast next year?

James Campbell

Sister Olympiada's garden does get soaked when the rain comes sideways off the sea—I've seen those paths turn to soup myself. The scarves were a thoughtful touch for the Tuesday crew. No news yet on whether Metropolitan Nektarios will make it back next July, but I'll ask around at choir practice.

Sophia Bennett

Yeah, Sister Olympiada really does keep at it — I saw her hauling compost near the gate last time I visited too. The Byzantine choir from the school was excellent this year, so I hope they bring them back for the feast. Did the bus route look any better after those path repairs?

Katherine Johnson

Yeah, I saw Sister Olympiada out there with the compost too — she's unstoppable. The choir really nailed it this year; that director Makropoulos has them sounding tighter every time. The bus route's a bit smoother now, but those steps near the gate are still pretty uneven if you're not careful.

Olivia Campbell

Yeah, those sideways rains really do turn the paths into a mess—last time I was there the mud nearly claimed my hiking boots. The scarves sound like a nice practical touch for the Tuesday group. Did Sister Olympiada mention anything about needing more knitting wool for the next batch?

Emily Bennett

Yeah, Sister Olympiada really does get her hands dirty with that compost pile every chance she gets. The steps by the gate caught me off guard last visit too; I nearly turned an ankle but the smoother bus ride helped. Did the choir stick to the older settings for the megalynaria this time?

Sarah Collins

Yeah, those uneven steps by the gate are a real trip hazard—I caught my sandal on the same spot last summer. Sister Olympiada does make that compost look effortless though; I helped her turn it once and my arms ached for days. Did you stay for the meal after Liturgy?

Anna Parker

Sister Olympiada was out weeding the herb beds when I stopped by last month; that woman never sits down. The choir did sound especially crisp this time. Have you tried the new path from the upper gate? It cuts the walk almost in half.

Katherine Brown

Yeah, those steps near the gate always get me too—last time I brought my cane just in case. Sister Olympiada's compost work is something else; I dropped off some kitchen scraps from my baking last month and she had it all turned before I left. Did the Metropolitan mention anything about more sisters joining her?