← News feed Church of Greece

Feast of the Metropolitan Church of Arkalochori and names of Metropolitan Andreastranslated

July 5, 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 Most Reverend Metropolitan of Kydonia and Apokoronou, Mr. Titos, officiated at the Mass of Orthros. The multi-priestly Divine Liturgy was presided over by the celebrant Pastor, His Eminence Metropolitan of Arkalochori, Kastelli and Viannos, Mr. Andreas, co-celebrants of the Most Reverend Metropolitans of Ierapytni and Sitia, Mr. Kyrillos, Kydonia and Apokoronos, Mr. Titus and Lampi, Syvritos and Sfakion, etc. Joachim.

Before the dismissal of the solemn Divine Liturgy, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Kydonia and Apokoronou Mr. Titos spoke about the Life of Saint Andrew and after thanking for the hospitality, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Arkalochori, Kastelli and Viannos Mr. Andreas expressed his joy for the presence of the present High Priests and wished Saint Andrew to guards all 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 attended...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (13) 🌐 Show original

Martin Dvořák

Nice celebration. I would like to know if the Saint Andrew of Jerusalem is the same one we have on the icon in our chapel in Liberec, or if it is different. And I also congratulate Mr. Metropolitan on his appointment.

Тимофей Павлов

It was a joyful holiday. It is interesting that it was Saint Andrew of Jerusalem, and not the apostle. And rewarding excellent students at the end is a good tradition and good for children.

Леся Ткаченко

I am glad to see how, after the Liturgy, the excellent students of local schools are immediately awarded. It is right that children see a connection between the holiday and their work. And we also have Saint Andrew from Jerusalem on the icon in Poltava, I wonder if it is the same one.

Юлія Шевчук

Yes, Lesya, it is the same Saint Andrew of Crete, from Jerusalem. In our church in Vinnytsia, we also remember him at the liturgy, and the icon in Poltava is probably from the same Greek models. It is good that the children are awarded after the service — they will remember it better than just in the assembly hall.

Marie Černá

Nice news from Arkalochori. I am happy to see that after the liturgy they immediately rewarded the schoolchildren who had excellent results - it really connects the children with the holiday and what they are doing. And the Saint Andrew of Jerusalem, who we have on the icon in our chapel in Liberec, is apparently the same as Martin writes.

Anna Nowak

It's nice to see that after the Liturgy they immediately rewarded these top students from Arkalochori. Here in Krakow we sometimes do this on the feast of the parish's patron saint, it's easier for children to remember. And as for Saint Andrew of Jerusalem – yes, he is the same one we honor as Andrew of Crete.

Krzysztof Kowalski

I agree, in Warsaw, under the patron saint of the parish, we sometimes hand out prizes to children right after the liturgy - they immediately associate the saint with something specific. And as for Saint? Andrew, is actually the same one from Crete, but in this text they emphasize his Jerusalem roots. I wonder if more people in Krakow know about this double name.

Jakub Svoboda

Yes, Mary, exactly that Saint Andrew of Jerusalem is on our icon in the chapel in Liberec. I would like to know if you were there for the holiday this year, because we also always give small gifts to the children after the liturgy so that they remember it. Good idea to reward those school kids now.

Kateřina Svobodová

Yes, it is the same Saint Andrew, the Cretan Archbishop of Jerusalem, whose memory we celebrate on the 4th of July. Our icon in the Liberec chapel depicts him as this very saint who wrote the famous Great Canon. Congratulations to Metropolitan Andree will surely please, it was a nice event.

Jan Szymański

Yes, here in Gdańsk, sometimes we hand out diplomas to the kids right after the end, because then they run away after the cakes and there is no mood anymore. And as for Saint? Andrzej - it's good that Anna reminded us about these Jerusalem roots, because in our calendar we always say simply "Cretan".

Jana Nováková

Yes, it is Saint Andrew of Crete who lived in the 7th century and whose Great Canon is sung about Great Lent. Our icon in the chapel in Liberec actually depicts him in this form. Congratulations to Metropolitan Andree sounds very nice, it would surely please him.

Marek Dvořák

Yes, Mary, exactly that Saint Andrew of Jerusalem. Here in Pilsen, after such a liturgy, we also always prepare small packages for the children with honey and a picture of the saint, so that it is not just about stamps. How are you doing with the icon in the Liberec chapel, are you still restoring it?

Maria Zielińska

In our city in Białystok, after the liturgy, we sometimes give prizes to children immediately, because then they run to the cookies and you won't be able to catch them. And as for Saint? Andrew, in our church we always say simply "Cretan", we rarely mention Jerusalem - I wonder why such an emphasis in this article.