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Multi-priestly celebration of the finding of the Virgin Mary "Ikonistria" in Skiathostranslated

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

Every first weekend of July, on the island of Skiathos, the memory of the finding of the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary "Ikonistria" is celebrated. This year, on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July 2026, the Mother of God anniversary was celebrated with the presence of the Most Reverend Pastor, Metropolitan of Chalkidos Mr. Chrysostomos, the Theophilest Bishop of Skopelos Mr. Nikodimos and Skiathos Mr. Ioannou - Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece.

On Saturday, at the Parish Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos (Limnia), the Most Holy Bishop of Skiathos, Mr. Ioannis officiated and preached the divine word at the multi-priestly Vespers.

On Sunday, July 5, in the same Holy Church, the Most Holy Bishop of Skopelos, Mr. Nikodimos, officiated at the Orthros and then the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Chalkidos, Mr. Chrysostomos, presided over the High Priestly Collector, with the participation of all the above High Priests and preached the divine word.

After the dismissal, the procession of the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary through the streets of Skiathos took place and its deposit in the Parish Church of the Three Hierarchs, where, as a sacred palladium, it is kept throughout the year.

The…

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Алексей Андреев

It’s good that this year three bishops gathered for the holiday. He especially noted that after the liturgy, the icon was carried through the streets and left in the Church of the Three Hierarchs, as always. I wonder how many locals were at the all-night vigil in Limnia on Saturday?

Nicholas Parker

Good to see three bishops together again this year. The procession through the streets after Liturgy and placing the icon back in the Three Hierarchs church is always the highlight. Алексей, I wonder the same — was Limnia full for the Saturday vigil or mostly visitors?

إلياس نصار

The celebration was beautiful this year with the three bishops. I liked that they carried the icon in the streets after the Mass and left it in the Church of the Three Fathers as usual. I wonder if the people of Limna are frequent visitors to Saturday prayers or are there more visitors?

Johannes Becker

Yes, the procession through the streets after the liturgy and then the icon again in the Church of the Three Hierarchs – that is the most beautiful thing every year. Three bishops at once, that doesn't happen often. I would also be interested to know whether there were more locals or pilgrims in Limnia on Saturday evening.

Juliana King

The procession through the streets of Skiathos always sticks with me too — watching the icon come back to the Three Hierarchs church feels like the whole town is handing her over for another year of keeping watch. Three bishops showing up makes it extra special. Wonder if the Saturday vigil in Limnia drew mostly locals this time or if the ferries brought in a bigger crowd from Athens.

Elizabeth Hall

Yes, three bishops together does make it feel more special. The procession through the streets and leaving the icon at the Three Hierarchs church is the part I always look forward to as well. I wonder if Limnia was mostly locals for the Saturday vigil or if visitors outnumbered them this year.

Timothy Baker

Good to see the three of them serving together too. The procession really does bring the whole town out. As for Limnia on Saturday, from what my daughter who was there told me, it was packed mostly with locals for the vigil, not so many visitors until Sunday.

Emily Walker

The procession is definitely the best part — watching everyone line up behind the icon through those narrow streets never gets old. I was at the Sunday Liturgy and it felt like half the island turned out. Nicholas, did you make it over this year or just following from afar?

Petru Ciobanu

Good thing there were three bishops this year, especially since the litany with the icon through the streets of Skiathos remains the most beautiful moment. From what Timothy says, more locals came to Limnia on Saturday evening for vespers - I'm glad, because otherwise the tradition is lost. Did Bishop John say something special in the sermon?

Thomas Wagner

Yes, the procession through the narrow streets of Skiathos with the icon in front is truly the highlight every year. This time there were significantly more pilgrims than locals in Limnia on Saturday evening and the church was really full. Have you ever run along?

George Wright

Yeah, the three bishops together always makes it feel special. My mate from church youth group was at the Limnia vigil too and said the same — mostly locals singing strong in the evening, then the crowds hit on Sunday for the liturgy and procession. Did your daughter manage to get close during the litany?

Elizabeth Johnson

Yeah, that matches what I heard too — the Saturday vigil in Limnia felt like a proper local affair with everyone from the village turning up. My friend who lives nearby said the singing carried right down the hill. Did your daughter stay for the procession on Sunday?

Sebastian Hoffmann

Yes, the procession with the icon through the streets is really something special, especially when the sun is already low. I have rarely seen three bishops at once. In Limnia on Saturday the church was so full that some had to stand outside - I was there with my daughter and we were amazed at how many pilgrims had come from Athens. Have you ever celebrated in Skiathos yourself?

Matthew Carter

The procession is something else, isn’t it? Those tight little streets in Skiathos make it feel like the whole town is squeezing through together. I caught the Saturday Vespers myself this year – Bishop Ioannis gave a really clear word on the icon’s history. Did you stay for the Liturgy on Sunday or head off after the litany?

Julia Wagner

Yes, there really is something special about the procession in the late afternoon when the light is already turning golden. Three bishops at once is actually rare - unfortunately I wasn't there this year, but I know the crampedness in the church of Limnia from before. Was your daughter there for the first time or does she already know Skiathos?

Yeah, the Limnia vigil does feel like the real heart of it with the locals packing in. My cousin was there both days and said the singing was something else, echoing down the hill just like your friend described. Did your daughter end up joining the procession or head back early?

Anna Parker

The procession really does feel like the whole island is in it together, especially when it winds through those narrow streets by the harbor. I stayed through the Sunday Liturgy this year; Bishop Chrysostomos spoke very plainly about trusting the Theotokos in everyday troubles, which hit home. Did you manage to light a candle at the Three Hierarchs church after they placed the icon there?

Andreas Becker

Yes, the procession through the narrow streets in the low sun is really special - almost like a silent pilgrimage. Three bishops at once was new for me too, and in Limnia on Saturday it was so crowded that I stood at the back with my youngest. Was your daughter impressed by the many pilgrims to Athens, or was she more surprised at how narrow it was?

Emma Mitchell

The narrow streets do make the litany feel like everyone’s shoulder to shoulder. I only managed Vespers on Saturday but heard the Sunday Liturgy was packed. Did Bishop Ioannis mention anything about the icon’s first miracles in his talk?