← News feed Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople

Memory of Agios Nikitas of Nisyrio – Ordinationstranslated

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

The Memorial of the Holy New Martyr Nikitas of Nisyri and the Synaxis of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of Odegitria (Ephesian Icon of the Metropolitan Holy Church) were celebrated again this year with special joy in the Metropolitan Holy Church of the Entry of the Theotokos on the initiative, as every year, of the Association of Nisyrians of Rhodes "THE PORPHYRIS".

The solemn Vespers (Saturday, June 20, 2026) was officiated by the Most Reverend Bishop of Olympus Mr. Kyrillos, who in his speech referred to the face of the Virgin Mary and the martyrdom of the New Martyr, congratulated the President Ms. Sofia Dimitriadou and the members of the Association for the organization of all the festive events in honor of Saint Nikitas and conveyed the wishes of our Venerable Metropolitan. Before the dismissal, the procession of the Icons and the blessing of the bread took place in the courtyard of the Holy Church.

On the main day of the feast (Sunday, June 21), the Divine Liturgy was presided over by our Most Reverend Metropolitan, co-celebrant of Saint Olympos Theophilus. During the Divine Liturgy, the Ordinations of: Deacon Nikiforos Giannikos to Elder and Mr. Stamatios Hatzimartis, who was renamed Arsenios, to...

Source: Site: Μητρόπολις Ρόδου · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (6) 🌐 Show original

Дарья Морозова

It’s good that they again held a litany of icons around the church and blessed the loaves in the air - this is always especially touching. It’s interesting how the ordination of the new priest Nikifor and the monastic tonsure of Stamatios in Arsenios went; the whole parish probably rejoiced. Thanks to Porfiris for organizing all this every year.

Иван Виноградов

It’s good that they brought the icons out into the air again and blessed the loaves in the courtyard - this always brings people together in a special way. It’s interesting how Stamatios’ tonsure went to Arseniy; they chose a completely monastic name. Thanks to Porfiris for keeping it all going every year.

Александр Орлов

It’s good that we held a litany of icons again and blessed the loaves in the courtyard - it always brings people together. I wonder how Stamatios was tonsured as Arseniy, the name is really a monastic one. Thanks to Porfiris for maintaining this tradition every year.

Светлана Волкова

It’s good that lithium and artos are in the yard - last year we also had about thirty people gather, even the neighbors came up. Stamatios's tonsure into Arsenios took place quietly and very dignified, the name was truly monastic, as if it had always been waiting for him. “Porphyris” are great, without them this memory would have faded long ago.

Ηλίας Χατζής

I am glad that Cyril spoke about the Theotokos and Saint Nikitas at vespers. The ordinations in the Liturgy with our Metropolitan were the most powerful part – Arsenios got a name that is truly fitting. Porphyris has been keeping them alive for years now, well done to them.

Sophia Young

The litany of the icons after the Vespers and the blessing of the breads outside felt just right, especially on a warm June evening. I was glad to see Bishop Kyrillos speak about the Theotokos and St Nikitas together. The ordinations during the Liturgy must have been a strong moment for everyone.