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Reception of the Holy Relic of Saint Demetrius Gagastathi in Amfilochiatranslated

July 24, 2026 · 1 min read

The holy relic of our Holy and God-bearing Father Demetrius the New, of Gagastathi was welcomed with special splendor and emotion by the Parish of Agia Paraskevi Amfilochia, on the evening of Thursday, July 23, 2026, in view of the annual holy festival of Agia Glorious Great Martyr and Athlete Paraskevi. The holy relic was enshrined by the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Aetolia and Acarnania Mr. Damascenes and will remain permanently in the Holy Church, for the blessing, sanctification and worship of the faithful.

Immediately after the official reception, the solemn High Priestly Vespers took place, presided over by the Reverend Pastor Mr. Damaskinos.

The Head of the Holy Church, Protopr. George Tiganis, during his address, referred extensively to the life of Saint Demetrius of Gagastathi and thanked the Most Reverend Pastor Mr. Damascenes for the blessing that the Holy Relic should come to the Parish and remain permanently in the blessing of the faithful. He particularly thanked the fleshly daughter of the Saint, Gerontissa Isidora, who resides in the Holy Monastery of Saint John the Theologian Zarkos Trikala for the immediate response to the request of the Parish and himself to offer a fragment of the sanctuary...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Людмила Мельник

Thank God that the relics of Saint Dmitry Gagastat are now permanently in Afilochia. Father George spoke so beautifully about his life that I wanted to read in more detail. Thank you to Bishop Damaskin and Mother Isidora for responding.

Петро Гончар

Yes, Father George really spoke well about the life of the saint, especially how he from a simple family became such an example. After that, I also looked on the Internet, read about his exploits. Have you managed to find something interesting about the saint's daughter, Isidore's mother?

Галина Марченко

Yes, Father George really explained well how St. Dmitri from a simple family lived in obedience. After the service, I also went to the website of the monastery in Zarka and read that Mother Isidore has been in obedience there for many years. What exactly did you find out about her life?

Наталья Макарова

I am glad that the relics of St. Dmitriy Gagastat will now permanently be in the church of St. Paraskeva in Amfilochia. Father Georgy Tyganys spoke in such detail about his life from a simple family that I wanted to read it too. And Isidore's mother, his daughter, has been in obedience in the monastery in Zarka for many years — it's good that she responded to the parish's request.

Степан Орлов

I am glad that the relics of St. Demetrius Gagastat are now permanently in the church of St. Paraskeva in Amphilochia. Father Georgiy Tiganis spoke well about his life from a simple family and obedience, and then I also read in more detail. I wonder, does Mother Isidora often come from the monastery in Zarqa to worship her father?

Юлія Марченко

Yes, Father George really well conveyed how a saint from a simple family reached such feats. And about mother Isidora, I found that she has been in the monastery near Trikala for many years, and it was she who gave a portion of the relics to our parish. Did you find out exactly how she decided to give that piece away?