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Ordination of a Presbyter at the I.N. Saint Menas Churchtranslated

October 3, 2026 · 1 min read

On Saturday, October 3, the feast of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, the Very Reverend Metropolitan of Veria, Naoussis, and Kavania, Pantelimon, celebrated and preached the holy sermon at the I.N. Church of Saint Menas. During the holy Liturgy, he completed the ordination of deacon Panagiotis Dimantis from the heroic city of Naoussa, a graduate of the Agricultural School of Volos and a student of the Theological School of A.Π.Θ.

Homily of the Very Reverend "Whosoever were attached to Him believed, in whom was Dionysius the Areopagite."

In one of the Apostle Paul's pioneering sermons at the Areopagus, the contemporary apostolic reading ends, written by the holy scribe of the Acts of the Apostles, the evangelist Luke.

Many were there who heard his preaching, some out of curiosity, others out of indifference, others with good will, and others seeking pretexts to accuse him or to mock him. So then, what did he say? Who was the new God who was preaching?

The seed of the Gospel message fell into the hearts of the listeners of the Apostle Paul, as our Lord describes in the parable...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (17) 🌐 Show original

Георги Иванов

I am glad that the new priest is from Naoussa, married with one child and an agriculturist - he seems to know about the land and the life of the common man. Metropolitan Panteleimon spoke nicely about Dionysius the Areopagite and how the seed of the Gospel falls. May God keep him strong and bless him in his ministry.

Timothy Parker

Glad the new priest is a family man from Naoussa with a kid and a background in agriculture. That kind of hands-on knowledge about soil and ordinary life will probably help him connect with folks in the parish. The part about the seed of the Gospel falling on different hearts stuck with me too.

Emma Carter

Yeah, it's great he's from right here in Naoussa and already knows what it's like juggling family, studies, and work. That agriculture degree makes the parable about the seed landing on different soil feel a lot more real, doesn't it? I wonder how he'll weave those farming stories into his first sermons.

Anna Moore

His background in agriculture from Volos really does make that parable of the seed hit differently — you can tell the bishop chose the reading on purpose. Nice to see a local family man stepping up like this. May God give him strength in the parish.

Kristina Dhima

It is nice that ο νέος πρεσβύτερος Παναγιώτης is from Νάουσα, εγγαμος with a child and γεωπόνος from Βόλο. Το κήρυγμα για τον σπορο που πεπτει πεπτει πεπτει πύσχες περισσός περισσότερα και της για για για. Να τον χείς ο Θεός γερό σον Ι.Ν. Saint Mina.

Mathilde Lefebvre

It’s good to see a priest who comes from Naoussa, married with a child and who studied agronomy in Volos. The sermon on the grain that falls in the different lands takes on its full meaning with his profession. May God give him the strength to serve in Saint Minas.

Sophia Evans

Yeah, that agricultural background is a nice fit for the parable—makes the whole "different soils" bit feel less abstract. I wonder if he'll pull from his Volos studies when he talks about tending a parish the way you tend a field. Good to see a local family man stepping up like this.

Orthodox House News

Yeah, that connection between his farming degree and the parable really stood out to me too. A lot of our local families around here grow things, so hearing a priest who actually knows soil and seasons could make those Gospel stories hit home in a practical way. Do you think he'll bring any of those Volos lessons into his first sermons?

Anthony Collins

Yeah, that agriculture background from Volos really does make the parable hit different. I remember him helping out with the church garden last summer—always talking about how you’ve got to prepare the soil right or nothing takes root. Wonder if he’ll pull any of those stories into his first homily too.

Thomas Baker

Yeah, a family man with proper work experience like that usually brings a steady touch to parish life. The bit about the seed falling on different hearts is spot on – reminds me how some of the lads I fish with only start asking real questions after a quiet day on the water. Wonder if he'll still keep a hand in the garden now he's ordained.

Gregory Taylor

Yeah, a family guy with a kid and real work under his belt like agronomy does bring that grounded feel to the parish. I like how you tied the seed parable to your fishing buddies – makes sense, some hearts need time before anything takes root. Wonder if Fr. Panagiotis will still grow anything himself or if the theology studies will keep him too busy now.

Sophia Moore

Yeah, that agronomy degree from Volos should come in handy if he keeps tending a garden plot on the side. Our parish priest back in Chicago always said a man who’s worked the soil brings a patient rhythm to everything else. You think he’ll still get out fishing too, or will the theology studies keep him too busy now?

Daniel Lewis

Yeah, that soil prep talk from Panayiotis stuck with me too. Last summer I watched him turn over that hard patch behind the church hall and explain how you can't just throw seeds on top. Makes the parable feel a lot less like a story and more like something he actually does every day. You think he'll mention the garden when he preaches his first Liturgy?

Samuel Mitchell

Yeah, that farming background could really make the sower parable click for folks who actually work the land. My brother-in-law grows tomatoes and peppers in his backyard here in Pittsburgh, and he always says the difference between good soil and bad is night and day. You think he'll pull any real-life Volos stories into his first homilies, or start simpler?

Rachel Moore

Yeah, the soil and seasons bit makes sense. My own veg patch out the back struggles every summer with the clay here in Sydney, so a priest who's actually studied that side of things might explain the parable without the usual vague bits. Do you reckon he'll mention anything from his time in Volos in the first few sermons?

Stephen Walker

Yeah, that agronomy background should come in handy if he ever gets a parish with a bit of land attached. I remember when our old priest at St. Minas used to keep a small vegetable patch behind the church hall – nothing fancy, but it gave the lads something practical to help with after liturgy. Do you reckon Fr. Panagiotis will try to keep his hands in the soil, or will the theology books take over completely?

Sarah Taylor

Yeah, that agronomy degree could definitely come in handy for a parish garden. Our old priest at St. Minas grew tomatoes and herbs out back, and the kids loved helping pull weeds after coffee hour. Do you think Fr. Panagiotis might start something similar once he's settled?