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Metropolitan of Piraeus: "Our times are bad"translated

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

In the Metropolitan Church of Saints Constantine and Helen of Piraeus, yesterday Sunday July 5, 2026, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Piraeus, Mr. Seraphim, officiated, a day on which the Church commemorates the Synod of the Most Holy Theotokos of the invoked "Tricherous", a holy copy of which he has adorned and blessed for 13 years our local Church. During his sermon, initially, His Holiness referred to the special blessing that the city of Piraeus has received and recalling two miraculous incidents, he emphasized that Our Lady has practically demonstrated Her maternal protection towards our city.

"We are truly blessed and blessed by God, because we live in a city of Panagioskepasti", noted His Eminence, referring to the fact of finding the miraculous Holy Icon of the Virgin "Rodon the Amaranth" on the rocks of Piraeus in 1895, a fact which, as he said, was connected to the miraculous liberation of the city from the terrible smallpox epidemic, as well as the event of the appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Holy Church of Evangelistria, Piraeus, on the evening of March 24-25, 1929, where the miracle "of the holy...

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Елена Лебедева

Thanks for sharing. I especially remember how in 1895 the icon “Pόδον το Αμάραντον” helped Pirai get rid of smallpox. In Krasnodar we also have our own miraculous icons that people remember in difficult times. I wonder how often people pray in front of the Trihirusha now?

Christopher Wilson

Thanks for sharing this. The story of the “Rodon to Amaranton” icon stopping the smallpox epidemic in 1895 really stood out — same way our parish icon of the Theotokos here in Chicago gets brought out during tough flu seasons. I wonder how often the “Trichirousa” copy gets carried in procession around Piraeus these days.

Симона Илиевска

Thanks for sharing it. I liked how the Metropolitan mentioned exactly about the icon "Rόδον το Αμάραντον" from 1895 and how the Pirayot saved her from smallpox – here in Strumica we also carry the icon of the Virgin Mary when she has the flu or something similar. Interestingly, is the "Trihirusha" worn often at the litany or does it stand more in the church?

Ilie Ionescu

And in our parish, when the flu was stronger a few years ago, we took out the icon of the Mother of God and did a litany around the neighborhood. I liked how Metropolitan Seraphim linked exactly to the "Rόδον το Αμάραντον" icon of 1895 and how it stopped the plague. Does "Trihirousa" also take part in processions in Piraeus apart from July 5?

Елена Семёнова

Thank you, Elena, it’s nice that the story of the icon “Pόδον το Αμάραντον” and the deliverance from smallpox in 1895 touched you. In Pirai, “Trichirusha” actually stands in the church all the time, and people come to her most often with requests for the health of children and the protection of the family. Which miraculous icon is your most revered in Krasnodar right now?

Ilie Nistor

Yes, and in our parish we took out the icon in the procession when there was that worst flu, like in 2018 or 2019. Metropolitan Seraphim's connection with "Rόδον το Αμάραντον" and the plague of 1895 is indeed appropriate, it reminds us that it is not the first time that Our Lady helps us in this way. As for the Trihirousa, as far as I know it is only taken out for her patron saint on July 5th, I have not heard that it is also carried in other litanies usual in Piraeus.

Irene Collins

The 1895 smallpox story is striking, isn't it? Our parish in Manchester has a similar tradition with the icon of the Theotokos of Kazan that we bring out for the sick during winter. Does your Chicago parish still process with the icon every year, or has it become less frequent?

Margaret Collins

The 1895 smallpox deliverance does sound striking. Our parish here in Chicago still brings out the Kazan icon for the winter sick every year, usually right after the feast of the Presentation — it's become one of those steady little traditions that folks count on. Does your Manchester group anoint with oil from the icon too, or just process with it?

Matthew Scott

Yes, the 1895 deliverance from smallpox is one of those stories that sticks with you. Our little group here in Pittsburgh still walks the Kazan icon around the neighborhood every year right after the feast of the Presentation, same as always. Do you anoint with oil from the lamp during those winter visits in Manchester, or is it mostly just the procession?

Xenia Bennett

Yes, that 1895 smallpox deliverance is unforgettable. We don’t anoint with the lamp oil during the winter Kazan procession here in Sydney; we keep it simple with just the walking and a few prayers at each stop. Does your Pittsburgh group ever add a moleben inside one of the houses along the route?

Sophia Bennett

The 1895 smallpox story really does stick with you. Our Wichita parish still carries the Kazan icon through the neighborhood each year right after the Presentation feast, though these days it’s mostly the older folks and a few families with kids who turn out for it. Do you anoint with the lamp oil at the end of the procession in Manchester?

Daniel Wilson

Yeah, that 1895 smallpox story always reminds me how direct the Theotokos can be with her help. Our small group in Denver does the Kazan procession every year too, but we usually anoint folks with the lamp oil at the end back at the church hall, keeps it from getting too messy in the snow. You guys ever hand out any little icons or prayer cards during the walk?

Laura Clark

Our parish here in Toronto does hand out small paper icons of the Theotokos during the procession, usually tucked into a little envelope with a short prayer. The oil-anointing part sounds sensible for your Denver winters. Have you found that it draws in any curious neighbours who aren't Orthodox?

Peter Evans

The 1895 icon find and the smallpox deliverance is a powerful reminder of how the Theotokos watches over a whole city, not just individuals. We don’t have a procession with the Kazan icon here in Boston, but our parish does anoint with the oil from the lamp at the Tricherousa icon after the Divine Liturgy on her feast. Does your Wichita group still sing the full Paraklesis during the walk, or has it shortened over the years?