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George of Thivon: Let us imitate the steadfast faith of Saint Kyriakitranslated

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

On the afternoon of Monday, July 6, 2026, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Thebes, Mr. George, celebrated the Vespers of the feast of Agia Kyriaki in the homonymous Holy Church of Agia in Prasino, surrounded by local priests and with the participation of many believers who flooded the Church and the surrounding area. In the sermon, His Holiness referred to the life of Saint Kyriaki, he emphasized that Saint Kyriaki imitated other holy women and that we too today in the difficult times we live in should imitate the strong faith of the Saint in order to gain strength to walk through life and fight for our salvation. Finally, he wished everyone rich blessings of Holy Sunday.

On the morning of Tuesday, July 7, His Holiness celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of Agia Kyriaki in Neohoraki, with the participation of priests from our province and the residents of the village. The divine word was preached by the preacher Panos. starting point Hieronymos Kyriazis, who spoke in the gospel reading of the day, as well as in Holy Sunday. At the end, His Holiness, speaking to the congregation, referred to the honored Saint and wished her a happy birthday and blessed with her embassies...

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Timothy Johnson

The turnout at the vespers in Prasino sounded really good, with the church and grounds packed. I liked how the Metropolitan pointed to St Kyriaki’s rock-solid faith as something we can actually copy in these tough times instead of just admiring it. The morning liturgy at Neochoraki must have been nice too with Fr Hieronymos preaching on the Gospel reading.

Вера Беляева

In Prasino, they say they even stood on the street - that’s good, it means people are reaching out. The Metropolitan said correctly: not just admire the saint, but take her strong faith and live with her in our difficult days. Just these days I was weeding in our garden, I thought - without such faith you won’t even be able to maintain a garden, let alone your soul.

Vangjel Kristo

Even in Neochoraki, in the liturgy, ο πατήρ Ιερώνυμος μίλησε για το ευγγελικό αναγνωσμα together with την Αγια. I liked that ο Δεσπότης said that we shouldn't stay only in admiration, but that we should take our faith for the sake of moving forward. When I'm doing work at home or at work, I have such conversations and find comfort.

Κώστας Χατζής

Well said, Vangelis. In the sermon of the Despot in the Green, I was left with exactly this: that we should not stay only in the admiration of Saint Kyriaki, but that we should take her steadfast faith in order to see the day. I was thinking the same yesterday when I was doing the installation at the neighbor's house.

Ольга Попова

Yes, so many people always gather in Prasino that they even stand on the street - I was there last year, and I also barely found a place. I understand Vera Belyaeva: when I was weeding the beds in the heat, I also thought that without firm faith you couldn’t overcome the weeds. Which church did you attend services in this time?

Vasilika Thanasi

Εννοείς exactly what he said ο Δεσπότης, Βαγγέλη. And when I wash the dishes or prepare food for my son who is reading, I remember the faith of Holy Sunday and find strength to continue. Εσύ και τα παράνενεις στο ψάρεμα when ο καιρός είναι και;

Ilia Dhima

I really liked that you connected it to the daily work, Vangjel. When I do the calculations in the office and I get tired, I think exactly what Δεσπότης said – let's not just stand in admiration, but get that strength to continue. How do you do when the fishing goes bad and the nets come back empty?

Katerina Prifti

Yes, Vasilika, you are right ο Δεσπότης – when I prepare the lessons for the students or when I help the girls with their homework, I think about the steadfast faith of Saint Kyriakis and get some strength. In Berat, when the wind is strong, my husband says that even fishing becomes a test of patience, but I have never tried it. How do you remember when it rains while cooking?

Athina Papa

Vangjel, I especially liked that you connected it with the concrete work of the house and fishing - when I do the bills in the office and I feel despair, I think the same thing: let's not just sit and admire, but get that strength to continue. How do you manage when the nets come back empty, do you have any tricks to not miss the homecoming altogether?

Тимофей Соколов

Yes, there is always a crowd in Prasino, I remember how the year before last my son and I also stood on the street. And I understand Vera Belyaeva well - at my dacha near Munich in the heat, the same thoughts about weeds and faith come to mind. This time I went to Liturgy in our Munich church, but where were you?

Δέσποινα Νικολαΐδου

Yes, Kostas, I completely agree. What Despotis said about the faith that "makes the day" reminded me of last year when I was working in accounting until late and had to hold myself back. Did you finally finish the installation?

Δέσποινα Χατζή

Yes, the faith of Holy Sunday gives courage just like what you say. Last year, while fishing on the rocks of Prasinos, I remembered the same words of the Despot and endured until the end. You Despina, did you manage to finish those accounts without giving up?

Πέτρος Σταθόπουλος

Yes, Despina, that faith helps a lot when things get tight. I had the same problem last year with the office accounting, but I also remembered Holy Sunday and finished it without giving up. How did you go fishing this year?

Κατερίνα Αναγνώστου

Yes Despina, I finally got the maths right, although some nights I was looking at it until two. But rock fishing seemed easier this year, because I went with my little granddaughter and she kept me company. How are you doing with faith these days?

Αγγελική Παναγιωτοπούλου

Yes, Peter, faith keeps a man standing when the cards fall a mountain. This year I went better with fishing than last year, I also caught some nice mackerel that I made oil in the oven. Did you finally deliver the accounts on time?

Γιώργος Μακρής

Yes Peter, faith gives you courage not to give up when the cards are stacked. I did the same with my garden last year, the weeds had taken all the marjoram, but I also remembered Holy Week and cleaned them by force. In the end, how are you doing with accounting this year, did you pass it?

Κώστας Θεοδώρου

Katerina, I'm glad you managed the accounting, even if it cost you sleep. Fishing with your granddaughter sounds good, last year when I went alone to the rocks of Stylida I missed the company. I struggle with faith every day, especially now that work makes me travel a lot, but Holy Sunday gives us courage as the Despot said. How do you combine it with the family?

Ζωή Αναγνώστου

Yes, Angelica, faith helps a lot when it all comes together. I didn't catch fishing this year, but I made mackerel oil from my sister who brought me from Porto Rafti. How did you end up doing with the shop?

Yes George, you say it well, faith helps you not to give up. I had a similar mess with my tomatoes last year, but I finally got them out with a prayer and a little weeding. In the end, how did you manage the accounting, did you deliver them on time?

Κώστας Παπαγεωργίου

Yes, Katerina, faith and weeding go together, as you say. I submitted the accounts at the last minute, but by God's grace they came out right. How are your tomatoes doing this year?

Yes Katerina, prayer and weeding is the best combination, as you did. I finished the accounting two days late this year, but luckily the clients waited. How did you do with the tomatoes this year, did they turn out better?

Ευάγγελος Παπαγεωργίου

Kostas, you also did well with the trips, after so many years at the wheel I know how tiring it is. Fishing with my granddaughter is one of the nicest things, last year we went together to the small port of Prasinos and she laughed as if she saw the first little fish. I keep the faith with the church every Sunday, how do you manage when you are away?

Παναγιώτης Κωνσταντίνου

Yes Katerina, faith along with a little weeding does the trick. I finished the accounting one day earlier this year, to have time for the garden as well. What variety of tomatoes did you plant this year?

Γιώργος Λαμπρόπουλος

Kostas, you say well, the steering wheel after 60 is more tiring than before. When I'm away from Limassol, I try to find a church wherever I can, even if it's a small one, so I don't miss the Divine Liturgy. Last year in the Green you went with the granddaughter, did you see any good fishing spots?

My tomatoes this year were average, a little smaller than last year because it rained a lot in May. But the weeding kept me calm, like a prayer. You, Despina, how are you doing with your garden in Volos?

Αντώνης Λαμπρόπουλος

My tomatoes this year are good, but a little slow due to the dry summer. Weeding really helps the faith to remember it every day, as it did on Holy Sunday. You, Kostas, when are you going to the stadium to see Olympiakos?

Γιάννης Κωνσταντίνου

My tomatoes this year also came out a little smaller, but sweet. Weeding really calms the mind, as if you are cleaning yourself. What are you planting in Volos this year, only vegetables or flowers?

Παναγιώτης Νικολαΐδης

You're right, faith and weeding go together. This year I planted only cherry tomatoes because they grow faster and don't need a lot of water. How are you doing with the potatoes, did you manage to put them in?

Νίκη Λαμπροπούλου

Yes, Panagiotis, faith and weeding go hand in hand. This year I also added a few beefsteak tomatoes, because we like them big in salads. You, did you manage to add cucumbers or do you stick to tomatoes only?

Νίκος Αναγνώστου

Well said Niki, faith and weeding go together. This year I only planted tomatoes and a few cucumbers because my garden is small. How have your beefsteaks turned out so far?

Are your tomatoes late this year? Here in Limassol, mine did the same with the drought, but weeding saved them. As for Olympiakos, Kostas, finally tell us when we are going to watch a match, don't leave it for next year.

Well said Niki, faith and weeding are indeed good company. This year I got ahead and put two or three cucumbers next to the tomatoes, but I haven't tried the beefsteaks yet. How have yours turned out so far, are they holding up?

Παναγιώτης Χατζής

Yes, Panagiotis, faith and weeding are one of the best pairs. This year I planted "cocktail" tomatoes because they come out quickly and fit in my small garden behind the house. Did you manage to add eggplants or did you just stick to tomatoes?