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Kissamos Amfilochios: The Prophet Elias raised his stature before the secular authority of his timetranslated

July 23, 2026 · 1 min read

During the feast of the holy glorious Prophet Helios of Thesvitos, the Reverend Metropolitan of Kissamos Mr. Amfilochios presided over the holy festival at the holy pilgrimage of the Holy Forerunner (Damialis), in whose iconostasis an Image of the Prophet Helios, in marble by the well-known Kissamite hagiographer, has been depicted Ioannis Annousakis (1896), where and with the participation of many believers from the wider region, the sacred memory of this great Prophet has been established and celebrated. His Eminence, referring to the "second Forerunner of the presence of Christ", as his Apolytikio calls the Prophet Elias, noted: "From the depths of history and the centuries, 800 years before the coming of Christ into the world, he projects the holy face of the great, the foremost of the Prophets, Helios of Thesbitos, who is not only presented in the Old Testament, but also in the New Testament, as we meet him on Mount Tabor, during the great feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord, as we will hear in a few weeks the Evangelist Matthew describing to us the event of the Divine Transfiguration. Paradox to honor a person after almost three millennia, since this person left no written texts or speeches, such as...

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Ольга Марченко

It is interesting that the icon of the Prophet Ilya is on the marble by John Annusaka in 1896. We also have old icons from a local master in Vinnytsia, but not on marble. And how often do people gather there, in Damial, for this service?

Марія Ткаченко

It is interesting that it turned out so well on marble, because here in Kharkiv, old icons were also often kept on wood. In Damialis, a lot of people from all over the region always gather for Ilya, even from neighboring villages, because it is a holiday and a special place. And in Vinnytsia, what did your local masters write on the most?

Микола Ткаченко

It is interesting that Annousakis chose the marble for that icon in Damial, it still looks fresh. We also have one old stone icon in the parish, but it is smaller. And how many people usually come to Vinnytsia for St. Ilya, if the service is outdoors?

Василь Коваль

It is interesting that Annousakis chose marble - we in Poltava region also like stone for icons, because it is stronger than wood in the rain. In Vinnytsia, probably, many people gather, especially when the service is open air, like yours. And approximately how many come to your parish on Ilya?

Галина Панченко

It is interesting that Annousakis painted Ilya on marble - here in Vinnytsia, they also often take stone for outdoor icons, because rain and frost do not gnaw it as much as wood. 70-80 people usually gather at our parish for Elijah, especially when the service is outside near the chapel. And in your Poltava region, how many people come to such a holiday?

Олександр Бойко

It is interesting that you mentioned Kharkiv and Vinnytsia. Here in Crete, Annousakis liked to work on marble, because that stone is everywhere underfoot here, and the paint on it lasts a long time. And in Vinnytsia, as far as I heard from pilgrims, local masters often wrote on wood, because the wood is softer for carving. Are you from Kharkiv or did you just see the icons there?

Світлана Ткаченко

Yes, marble is indeed more durable, especially when the icon is outside. In Poltava Oblast, about 60–70 people also gather for Ilya, if the weather is good, and the service is open in the open near the church. And tell me, in Vinnytsia they often use marble or more granite?

Василь Олійник

Yes, marble really holds up well outside, Ivan Annousakis knew what he was doing. Here in Poltava Oblast, 60-70 souls also often gather for Ilya, especially when it is not raining, and the service in the open air is pleasant. And in Vinnytsia, do you often visit there or are you just curious?

Андрій Шевченко

Yes, marble from Annousakis turned out to be surprisingly strong, it has been on the street for 128 years and almost does not break down. In Odesa, a similar number of people also gather for Ilya, especially if the weather permits, and the outdoor service is always special. And tell me, in your Poltava region, after the service, fishing on the ponds is arranged or not?