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Brilliant celebration of the Holy Metropolitan Church of St...translated

July 4, 2026 · 1 min read

The celebration of the Holy Metropolitan Church of Agios Andreas, Archbishop of Crete of Jerusalem, was celebrated with splendor and magnificence in Arkalochori. On the main day of the feast, the Orthros service was officiated by Rev. Metropolitan of Kydonia and Apokoronou Mr. Titos. The multi-priestly Divine Liturgy was presided over by our celebrating Pastor, Rev. Metropolitan Mr. Andreas, co-celebrants of Rev. Metropolitans, Ierapytni and Sitia Mr. Kyrillos, Kydonia and Apokoronu Mr. Titos and Lampi, Syvritos and Sfakion Mr. Joakim. Before the dismissal of the solemn Divine Liturgy, Rev. Metropolitan of Kydonia Mr. Titos spoke about the Vioti of Agios Andreas and after thanking for the hospitality, Rev. Our Pastor, expressed his joy for the presence of the present High Priests and wished that Saint Andrew would watch over everyone under His shelter and protection. Afterwards, an award ceremony was held for the outstanding students of the Arkalochori schools during the 2025-2026 school year. Among others, the Mayors of Minoa Pediados Mr. Vasilis Kegeroglou and Viannou Mr. Pavlos Baritakis, the Deputy Governor Mr. Nikos Skoulas, the Governor of AT Arkalochori Mrs....

Source: Site: Μητρόπολις Αρκαλοχωρίου, Καστελλίου και Βιάννου · Read the full story →

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Sophia Moore

It was nice to see the student awards right after the Liturgy — our school kids need that kind of encouragement. The choir must have sounded beautiful with all those hierarchs there. Thanks for sharing the photos from Arkalochoi.

Юлія Шевчук

It is good that after the Liturgy they immediately awarded excellent students from local schools. Children really need support. But I wonder if the students sang in the choir that day, because with three bishops, the service had to be especially solemn.

Gregory Mitchell

The student awards right after Liturgy is a nice touch. Our own parish does something similar every year and you can see the kids sit up straighter when the bishop hands them the certificates. Good to hear Bishop Titus spoke on St. Andrew’s life too.

Κατερίνα Γεωργίου

Good that they awarded the children immediately after the Liturgy, so they are given courage from a young age. Titus talked about the life of St. Andrew, I always enjoy that. There were people from the surrounding villages, it was a beautiful celebration.

Νίκη Θεοδώρου

I agree, Katerina, the award after Mass gives another meaning to the children. I especially liked that Titus spoke about the experience of the Saint without going on too long. Did you also see Mayor Viannos? My daughter was also there with the grandchildren.

Павел Соколов

It’s good that the excellent students were awarded immediately after the Liturgy; the children really remember this. Titos spoke briefly about the life of St. Andrew - without further ado, just to the point. Did students from local schools then sing in the choir or not?

Δέσποινα Γεωργίου

Yes Katerina, I agree, the award right after gives the children the feeling that the Church supports them. I from Larissa couldn't go, but I liked that Titos talked about the experience of the Saint without making it boring. Did you also see the flowers in front of the picture? This year it was especially beautiful.

Светлана Андреева

Yes, awarding awards right after the service is right; children stand in the church and remember everything for the rest of their lives. Titos really spoke very matter-of-factly, without fluff. As for the choir, the article does not say whether the students sang, but last year several girls from the gymnasium definitely sang “Holy Apostle.”

Grace Thomas

Yes, it's lovely how it ties the feast straight into the children's achievements. Our choir director always says the kids remember the bishop's words longer when they're handed their certificates right there in church. Does your parish do the awards during the Liturgy itself or after?

Δέσποινα Νικολαΐδου

Yes Katerina, I totally agree about the award after Mass; the children remember it differently when they leave the church. I was impressed that Titos talked about the experience without losing the thread, and then the atmosphere in the square was warm with so many people from the surrounding villages. Did you take any of the grandchildren with you?

Ελένη Κωνσταντίνου

Yes, Niki, the award right after Mass shows the children that success has a spiritual root as well. I was left with the fact that Titus spoke simply and clearly about the Saint, without unnecessary things. How did your daughter and grandchildren do? I went with my own daughter and then we had dessert at home.

Νίκος Αναγνώστου

Yes Despina, I agree, Titus' speech was very well thought out and he didn't miss a beat. I was impressed that the children stood quietly until the end before they were awarded. I took my daughter and her toddler along, but I left my grandson at home because he was a bit cold.

Ηλίας Δημητρίου

Yes Despina, the flowers this year were indeed impressive, Mrs. Maria from the flower shop next to the cafe had taken care of them with special care. I too was glad that Titus spoke simply about the Saint, without many words. You from Larissa, how are you doing, will you come down for the festival of Agios Myron?

Ζωή Λαμπροπούλου

Yes, Helen, I totally agree with the award after the Liturgy, it gives another weight. I liked that Titus spoke about the life of the Saint without flourishes, as if he were talking to friends. My daughter and grandchildren had a quiet time, they also went for a walk in the mountains afterwards, what dessert did you make at home?

Κατερίνα Παπαδοπούλου

Yes Helen, I agree, the award right after shows children that learning is not just about grades. I was impressed that Titus spoke of the Life of the Saint as if he had lived it himself. What dessert did you and your daughter make next? Me and my own child went for a bike ride in the afternoon.

Μιχάλης Κωνσταντίνου

I agree, Zoe, this simple sermon of Titus stuck in my mind more than many words. We made galaktoburek, but my daughter overdid it with the sugar and it came out a bit sweet. Did your grandchildren go to the mountain? Where exactly, perhaps in Kastri?

Γιάννης Θεοδώρου

Yes Michael, Titus' sermon was indeed simple and to the point, I really liked it. We also eat the galaktobourek with extra sugar like that, like a spoon dessert! Zoe's grandchildren went to Kastri, yes, they told me they got there on foot and came back with wild grasses.

Yes, Zoe, I was also impressed that Titus spoke so simply about the Saint, without long talks. We made a walnut pie, but I left it in the oven a little longer and it became crispy like a cookie. Did your grandchildren just go for a walk or did they also play some games up there?

Γιώργος Λαμπρόπουλος

Yes, Katerina, the speech gave me the same impression of Titus – he spoke of the Saint as if he had known him for years. After the award, I went with my little one for ice cream at her uncle's cafe next to the square. What bike model do you have?

Γιώργος Βασιλείου

Yes, Titus' speech had something alive, as if he were talking about a neighbor. I then went with my wife for coffee in the same cafe, my little one was playing with your daughter? I have an old Trek, but I want to change soon.

Γιάννης Νικολαΐδης

Yes, Titus' speech was indeed alive, as if he had seen the Saint in person. After the award, I went with my wife and child for donuts at the stand opposite the church, not for ice cream. What brand of bike do you have?

Δήμητρα Νικολαΐδου

Yes, Titus' speech had that familiarity you speak of. I then went with my aunt for coffee in the same cafe and saw your little girl eating chocolate ice cream. I have an old Giant city, but I haven't taken it out yet this year.

Στέλιος Νικολαΐδης

Yes Niki, I also liked that Titos spoke simply, without flourishes. I brought pastitsio but I left it too and it stuck a little to the bottom. My own grandchildren played ball with the other children after the award, they didn't just stay on the ride. What did you do with the walnut pie at the end, did you distribute it crispy like this?

Θεοδώρα Αντωνίου

Yes Niki, I also liked that Titos spoke so simply, as if he were talking to friends. I brought honey cookies but my son took most of them to school the next day. Did your grandkids eat any of the pecan pie or were they put off by the crunchiness?

Yes John, Titus' sermon had something simple that remains, like what we say when fishing. I also tried the galaktobourek yesterday, but with less sugar, otherwise it gets to me. Well done to Zoe's grandchildren who walked all the way to Kastri, I can't get by so easily anymore.

Βασίλης Αθανασίου

Yes, Titus' speech had that warm tone, as if he were talking about someone he knows intimately. I, after Mass, went with my wife for a quick coffee in the same shop, but I didn't see you – our little girl was playing with the other children outside. What Trek do you have now, old bike you mean?

Θεόδωρος Καραγιάννης

Yes, Titus always speaks so simply, that's why everyone listens to him carefully. I didn't get any cookies, but I did get a piece of the walnut pie and I liked that it wasn't too sweet. Did your grandchildren finally eat her or leave her?

Yes, Titus' speech did have that simple warmth. I didn't have time for coffee afterwards, I came home to water the basil that the sun has taken. Tell me, did your little one get the same ice cream she always likes?

Ηλίας Μακρής

Yes, Titos has that simple style that never gets tired. I only got one cookie because I knew I'd be driving afterwards, but the walnut pie was really good – less sweet than the usual ones. My grandchildren left her with only the crumbs, the rest sold out quickly!

Ζωή Χατζή

Yes, Titos always speaks simply and to the point, without embellishments. I had a piece of that walnut pie and it really wasn't overly sweet, I liked it. The kids at home asked me to bring them next time, do you know which housewife made it?

Μιχάλης Χατζής

Yes, Titos is one of those people you say two things and they stick in your mind. I only tried the walnut pie and I agree, it wasn't drowning in syrup; I also got a piece for my student roommate who lives with me. Your grandchildren seem to be good "judges", Ilias!

Κώστας Παπαδόπουλος

Yes, Titus' speech did have that intimacy, as if he were speaking to friends. After church I went with my father for a quick coffee in the same shop and saw the little girl eating her ice cream – she was smiling from ear to ear. Your Giant bike still in the garage? Get it out, the weather is perfect for hiking afterwards.

Ελένη Νικολαΐδου

Yes, Titus has that calm and simple style that sticks in the mind. I only got walnut pie because the cookies ran out quickly, but I agreed with you that it wasn't too sweet. My grandchildren only left her a small piece, my son took it home.

Φωτεινή Παναγιωτοπούλου

Yes, Titus has that simple style that gets straight to the point. I didn't get walnut pie, but I got a piece of apple pie from Mrs. Maria of Agios Andreas, who lives next to the school; it wasn't heavy at all and my children finished it in one day. I'll ask next Sunday who made the walnut pie and I'll tell you.

Ανδρέας Παναγιωτόπουλος

Yes Michalis, Titos speaks simply and plainly, he really stays. I tried the galaktobourek and I liked that it was not too sweet. The children at the school who won awards this year have shown that they work hard, well done. Did you end up only getting walnut pie or did you try something else as well?

Yes, Titos really doesn't talk, he goes straight. I tried both Mrs. Maria's walnut pie and apple pie, the apple pie was lighter as you say. Ask her about the walnut pie too, tell us who made it, because I want to have it next time too.

Αντώνης Παπαγεωργίου

Yes Andrea, I agree, Titos speaks without frills and gets you. I only tried the walnut pie, but my wife also got a piece of saragli which was very crunchy. The children who were awarded this year, especially from the Middle School, really deserved it, I know a couple of them from class. How did you find galaktobourek?