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The Metropolitan of Seleucia in the celebratory I.M. Dionysios Mount Athostranslated

July 8, 2026 · 1 min read

As part of his visit to the celebratory Holy Patriarchal and Crucifixion Monastery of Dionysius of Mount Athos, on July 7, 2026, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Seleucia, Mr. Theodoros, addressed the monastery bench. Below is the address:

By the divine grace and favor of the Trisagio God, standing before you today on this glorious day, I am overwhelmed by a flood of feelings of holy emotion and unspeakable spiritual joy, as consciousnesses of this holy and spiritual bliss. This joy does not only come from participating in a glorious festival, but primarily from the awareness that we are in the enclosure of the Virgin Mary, in this holy refuge of prayer, repentance and freedom in Christ.

First of all, I gratefully thank the venerated Authority and Despot of us all, His Holiness, our Ecumenical Patriarch, etc. Bartholomew, the Pastor of the Holy Land, for the canonical permission and blessing to participate, after the equally honorable invitation, Holy Professors, in the inner festivals, of Whom the whole-hearted paternal wishes, the urgent care, deeply…

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Величка Ангелова

Thanks for the text. I especially liked how the Metropolitan mentions that it stands "in περιβόλαιον τῆς Παναγίας" - this is exactly how I imagine Athos, as a true home of prayer and penance. I wonder if he also talked about something specific from the life of St. Dionysius in his speech.

Дарья Андреева

Thanks for the text. It was especially accurately noted about “periβόλαιον τῆς Παναγίας” - this is truly the truest feeling from Athos. But I wonder if the Metropolitan mentioned in his speech how St. Dionysius himself chose this place for a monastery, or was it more a general matter?

Sophia Turner

The part about standing “in the garden of the Panagia” really stuck with me too — it’s such a concrete image of Athos as a sheltered place for prayer and repentance. I wish the full speech had been posted; I’d love to know if he mentioned how St. Dionysios picked that exact spot because of the quiet cove and the fresh spring water.

Светлана Кузнецова

Thanks for the text. It was especially accurately noted about “periβόλαιον τῆς Παναγίας” - this is truly the truest feeling from Athos, like a quiet garden for prayer. It’s a pity that the speech ends, I wonder if the Metropolitan spoke further about St. himself. Dionysius and how he chose this place.

Xenia Brown

The quiet cove and spring water detail makes perfect sense — I remember reading that St. Dionysios deliberately chose the site so the monastery would be tucked away from the main sea traffic yet still have fresh water right there. Have you been to Dionysiou yourself? The way the path drops down to that little harbor always feels like stepping into exactly what the Metropolitan described.

Mark Hall

The image of the garden really does make you picture the whole place as protected, doesn't it. I hadn't caught the part about the quiet cove and spring water, but it fits what I've read about how St. Dionysios wanted the monastery hidden yet practical for the monks' daily needs. Have you found any good books on the founding of Dionysiou?

Георгий Лебедев

I agree, “περιβόλαιον τῆς Παναγίας” - this is accurately said, as if the whole of Athos is really like a well-groomed garden, where every corner is for prayer. It’s a pity that the text breaks off mid-sentence; I would also like to know whether the Metropolitan mentioned St. Dionysius chose this particular rock above the sea. Have you been to the monastery itself, Svetlana?

Timothy King

Yeah, that little harbor path really does feel like stepping into another world — steep, quiet, and suddenly you're just there with the sound of the water. I haven't made it to Dionysiou yet, but your point about the spring and the deliberate siting makes me want to hike down there even more. Have you stayed over for the full feast day before?