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The Holy Monastery of Prophet Helios "Viglas" in Symi celebratedtranslated

July 23, 2026 · 1 min read

On Monday, July 20, 2026, the feast of the "ascension of the Prophet Helios of Thesvitos in a chariot of fire to the heavens", Rev. Metropolitan of Symi, Mr. Chrysostomos, officiated at Orthros and celebrated the Divine Liturgy, in the ancient I. Monastery of the Prophet Helios "Viglas", during the Symaic folk song at "Ai Noulia", which is perched on the steep slope of the mountain of the same name, above the Cemetery of Agia Marina. His co-officiants were the guest clergy of the I. Metropolis of Switzerland and originally from Symi, Archim. Damascenes Kasotis, the Protopr. Fr. Stefanos Makris, General Hierarchical Commissioner and the Hierodeacon Fr. Pavlos Terezakis, while the I. lectern was ministered by the Hieropsaltes Mr. Mercourios Giannaras, after Mr. Emmanuel Kypriotis and others.

His Eminence proclaimed the divine word, referring to the figure of the celebrated Prophet Elias, who, although "alone" in the sea of various idolatry and apostasy of his time, lived and behaved devoutly according to the commandments of God, finally invoking his God-accepted embassies and seeking for everyone, even if only nuggets of his of divine zeal which distinguished him.

Similarly after the end of the Divine...

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Samuel Taylor

The monastery looks like a tough climb up that steep slope above Agia Marina cemetery. Nice to see the local lad Archimandrite Damaskinos Kasotis back from Switzerland serving with his own people. The bit about Elias standing alone against all the idolatry really stuck with me – we could use a bit of that zeal ourselves.

Екатерина Иванова

Yes, it’s probably still quite a climb there, especially in the heat. It’s good that a local guy, Archimandrite Damascene Kasotis, came from Switzerland and served with everyone else. And about Elijah, who stood alone against all idolatry, it also caught my attention - somehow close to today.

Софья Смирнова

Yes, the climb to “Ai-Nulia” is really steep; in my youth I walked along similar paths in the mountains - my legs hurt afterwards. It’s good that Father Damascene came from Switzerland; his own people are always closer. And about Elijah, one against everyone - it’s true, now, too, sometimes it seems that there is a continuous retreat all around, but his example holds.

Timothy Johnson

That climb up to Vigla is no joke, especially in the summer heat. Good to see Damaskinos back home too. The part about Elias standing alone hit me as well – makes you wonder if we’d have the nerve to do the same if it was asked of us.

Иван Кирилов

The climb up to Ai-Nulii is really steep, especially in the heat. When I remember how we climbed to the monastery "St. George" above Burgas, my legs still remember. I am glad that archim. Damascene returned from Switzerland and served with the locals, and the words about St. Elijah, who stood alone against idolatry, made me think - and it is not easier today.

Борис Марков

Yes, the road to Ai-Nulii is killer, especially in the afternoon heat. As an accountant, I rarely climb, but last year with the children we went to the monastery "St. George" above Burgas and your legs really remember. Interesting that you mentioned St. Elijah - I also think that today the "idols" are quiet and internal rather than statues.

Елена Белова

Yes, the climb to “Ai-Nulia” is difficult even in the heat, I remember how my father and I climbed there last year - I could barely catch my breath halfway through. It’s good that Damascene Kasotis came; his man always serves in a special way. But about Elijah alone against idols - for sure, sometimes you still feel that way, but his example really encourages.

Красимира Маркова

Yes, the road to Ai-Nulii really makes you sweat, especially if you go up in the afternoon. I am from Ruse, there are no such steeps there, but when we walked with my husband and son to St. George above Burgas last summer, we rubbed our calves all day afterwards. I wonder what you think is the biggest "idol" today - money or something else?

Peter Wilson

That climb really tests you, especially after the first steep bit past the cemetery. I remember Damaskinos as a kid running around the harbor; good to see him serving back on Symi. The bit about Elias standing alone stuck with me too—makes me think how easy it is to go along with the crowd instead.

Ксения Тарасова

The climb up there is really hard, especially when the sun is hot. Last year our legs were also buzzing, but the air at the top is so fresh that you forget everything. And Damascene Kasotis is truly his own; you immediately recognize his voice on the lectern. Are you going this year too?

Анна Зайцева

Yes, getting up in the heat is a challenge, especially with my knees after a whole day in the kitchen. Last year we also barely made it, but the fresh air at the top really makes up for everything. Will you go this year or will you save your legs again?

Христо Димитров

The road to Ai-Nulii is really killer, especially in the afternoon when the sun is burning. As a chef, I'm on my feet all day, but my calves gave out there too. For today's idol, I think it is mostly convenience - that everything is easy and immediately, without effort. What do you think?

Николай Костов

The road is really brutal, especially in the afternoon - I, as an accountant, sit more in the chair, and when we went up with my wife and daughter to Vitosha last fall, I also rubbed my calves all evening. For the idol today, I think it's mostly the fear of not missing something - everyone tries to keep up with fashion, news, social networks. And what would you put first?

Петя Христова

The road to Ai Nulia is really killer, especially on the way down - last year after the holiday I barely got home, my legs were shaking like a newborn calf. I agree that today's "idol" is this constant fear of missing something, but first of all I would put just standing still in front of the icon of the Prophet and saying two words to him from the heart. And you and your wife and Vitosha's daughter, what did you take for your trip so that your calves don't get stiff again?

Красимира Христова

Petya, just like that, coming down from "Ai Nulia" last year and I could barely drag myself to the road, my knees were like rubber. I agree that the best thing is to just stand quietly in front of the icon and say two words from the heart. And my daughters and I only brought one jug of water and one cheese sandwich each, otherwise we would have caught up again like last time.

Красимира Колева

The road to Ai Nulia is really brutal, Nikolay, especially when you go up with full holiday bags. As a saleswoman, I'm on my feet all day in the store, but after such a climb, my calves are shaking too. First of all, I would recommend that you read the Prophet's prayer in the evening instead of scrolling through the news - at least that's what I do and it's more peaceful for me. And have you tried walking earlier in the morning, before the heat?