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Metropolitan of Thessaliotidos: The Holy Apostles sealed their preaching with their own bloodtranslated

July 2, 2026 · 1 min read

The Most Reverend Metropolitan of Thessaliotidos and Phanariofersalon Mr. Timotheus officiated at the procession of Orthros and celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of the Twelve Apostles T.K. Belokomitis on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. During his speech, he referred to the great feast of the Synod of the Holy Twelve Apostles, underlining that the Church honors all of them together with the Apostles, highlighting the unity of their faith in the one Lord Jesus Christ and their fundamental contribution to the establishment and propagation of the Church.

As he mentioned, every Eucharistic Assembly refers the faithful to the beginnings of the Church. After the incarnation of the Lord, His saving work, His Passion, His Death on the Cross and His glorious Resurrection, Christ called disciples to Him, taught them and prepared them through His preaching, His miracles and His constant presence.

Before His Ascension, He sent them to the whole world to preach the Gospel, after they had first received the power of the Holy Spirit, which enlightened and empowered them to boldly confess the Crucified and Risen Christ.

Special reference was made to the fact that the Holy Apostles...

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Людмила Мельник

Just like in our church on the market square, where every year they remember the martyrs, this idea that the apostles covered their teaching with their blood is deeply impressive.

Іван Коваленко

Yes, in the church on Rynkova Square every night during the candlelight party, the martyrs are remembered. How do you, Lyudmila, remember how candles burn in the church at night?

Тетяна Марченко

So, at our church on Rynkova, where candles are placed in the shape of a cross every year at night, we remember how the apostles covered the teaching with their blood. Do you notice that children begin to put candles themselves, not only to watch?

Юлія Гончар

And in the church on Rynkova Square in Kharkiv, a new icon-painting image of the holy Apostles was opened - it depicts them together, as if in memory of their one poem. Have you noticed how in it each of them has its own distinctive symbol?

Василь Петренко

Yes, Tetiana, here in Odesa, they also often mention how the apostles cemented their faith with blood. As for the children, I wonder if they put the candles in the cross themselves, or someone prompts them? In our church, the little ones usually just watch until the elders show.

Yes, Tetiana, in Odesa, we also place candles with a cross on the altar, especially at night before the service. As for children, in our church they often just hold a candle in their hands and watch it burn until they are asked to light another one. And in your Rynkova, do they come up with the shape of the cross themselves, or does one of the grandmothers tell them?

Анна Бондаренко

Yes, Tatyana, in Vinnytsia, we also put candles in a cross on the Feast of the Apostles, and the children are already reaching for the box with candles. Last year, my grandson made a small cross himself and said that "this is for the apostles to see." And did you notice if they then ask why the cross, or just copy the form?

Максим Савченко

Yes, Vasyl, here in Odesa, they also always mention that they put a seal with blood on the altar in the church of the Twelve Apostles. As for the children, our little ones tend to put candles on their own, even without a hint, but then have to correct them so they don't fall. And in your parish, does it often happen that boys and girls themselves ask to tell about some apostle?

Богдан Гончар

Yes, the candles at night on Rynkova really create a special silence, as if all the apostles are around again. In our church in Odesa, on the feast of the Twelve Apostles, we also light them after vespers, and people stand for a long time, almost not talking. And you yourself were at that night service this year?

Петро Гончар

Yes, Vasyl, here in Vinnytsia, on such holidays, they also always mention that the apostles sealed the sermon with blood. As for children, in our church, children usually ask for a candle themselves, but we help them so that they don't knock it over. And in Odesa, it often happens that after the Liturgy they also ask why the apostles paid such a price?

Yes, Peter, here in the Kyiv region, after the service, children also often reach for the candles themselves, and we stand by them so that they don't let them in. As for the price that the apostles paid, in our church Father always reminds us that without the blood of the martyrs, there would be no Church. And tell me, in Vinnytsia, after such a sermon, many adults come up and ask about something specific?

Максим Шевченко

Yes, Ivan, here in Lviv, after such a sermon, adults also often come up and ask how exactly the apostles accepted martyrdom - especially about Peter and Paul. And in our church, we allow children to hold candles only near the icon, because otherwise something will definitely be knocked over. And in your Kyiv region, the priest often mentions the blood of the martyrs?

Наталія Коваль

Yes, Maksym, our father in the Kyiv region also often talks about the blood of martyrs, especially mentioning how Peter asked to be crucified with his head down. But in your church, it is interesting that children are allowed candles only near the icon - our son in elementary school still asks to hold it near the tetrapod, we have to be careful not to knock it over. How do you explain the details of their death to adults?