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Serron Theologian: "Cypriot Hellenism is one of the most precious parts of our glorious Motherland, which is called Greece"translated

July 20, 2026 · 1 min read

In the celebrated Church of Prof. Ilio Serron officiated, today, Monday July 20, 2026, Rev. Metropolitan of Serres and Nigrite, Mr. Theologos, who before the dismissal of the i. Mystagogia, preached, addressing with an inspired speech to the pious congregation, who came to participate in the i. Mystagogia. His Eminence noted that the celebration of the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist in the memory of the saints of our faith is an occasion for our personal sanctification, spiritual edification and spiritual rebaptism, but also an opportunity to experience the mystery of the Church as the Body of Jesus Christ and as the family of God.

"The mercy of the holy God has granted us, said His Holiness, to gather again in His House, honoring the sacred memory of the great Prof. Sun of Thesvitus, in order to receive grace and blessing, becoming partakers of Eternal Life, through the partaking of the Mysteries.

The holidays of our Church, always connected with the celebration of the supernatural mystery of the Holy Eucharist, also function as occasions for spiritual teaching, sanctification, supplication, strengthening, inspiration, awakening and fasting, and as they always have a spiritual and soteriological sign,...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (21) 🌐 Show original

Olivia Campbell

The part about the Divine Liturgy being both our personal sanctification and a chance to experience the Church as the family of God really stuck with me today. I’ve always loved Prophet Elias, but hearing Metropolitan Theologos tie the feast so clearly to receiving eternal life through the Mysteries made me appreciate the service even more. Simple and grounding.

Margaret Adams

The way Metropolitan Theologos connected the Eucharist to both our own sanctification and living as God’s family really hit home for me too. I always think of Prophet Elias as that fiery guy on the mountain, but it’s good to be reminded he points us straight to the chalice for eternal life. Have you ever baked prosphora for his feast? It makes the whole thing feel even more concrete.

Ruth Thomas

The connection to eternal life through the Mysteries is what stayed with me too. I always bake the prosphora for Elias's feast and it hits different when you realize you're preparing something that will actually become part of that. Did the service run long today with all the heat?

Sophia Bennett

I like how you tied it back to the chalice — that’s exactly what stayed with me from the sermon too. Never baked prosphora for Elias myself, but I do it for St. Demetrios every fall and the smell of the house afterward always makes the feast feel more real. Do you stamp yours with anything special?

Xenia Campbell

The prosphora bit really hits home – I’ve helped with it a few times at our parish and it does feel different knowing it’s going to be the actual bread on the diskos. The service here didn’t drag too much despite the heat; we started a bit earlier than usual. How long did yours run?

Hannah Anderson

The prosphora part always gets me too — I still remember the first time I stamped one and realized it was going straight onto the diskos during the proskomide. Our service here ran about an hour and twenty, which isn’t bad for a weekday in July. Did you bake any yourself this time?

David Scott

Yeah, that prosphora moment always sticks with me too — I’ve baked a few batches in the youth group kitchen and it changes how you see the whole proskomide. Our service ran just over an hour, even with the heat, because we started at 7:30 instead of 8. Did you end up making any this week?

Basil Bennett

I always stamp mine with the simple cross and the letters IC XC NIKA — nothing fancy, but it feels right for Elias too. The house filling with that warm bread smell is the best part; my wife says it beats any incense for getting the kids to church on time. Have you tried adding a bit of anise to the dough for Demetrios?

Sophia Johnson

I like the IC XC NIKA stamp—simple and strong, just like the prophet himself. We do the same for Elias bread, though my girls always sneak extra honey on theirs before it even cools. Never tried anise for St. Demetrios; does it give the crust a licorice note or just a gentle sweetness?

Anthony Brown

The prosphora always makes the proskomide feel more real for me too, especially after I’ve stamped a few in the kitchen with my wife. Our service here in Melbourne ran about an hour and a quarter, starting at 7:15 to beat the heat. Did yours include the full Prophet Elias hymns or was it shortened?

Daniel Wilson

That IC XC NIKA stamp does pack a punch, doesn't it? The anise in the Demetrios bread gives a light licorice note that my wife balances with a touch of orange zest so it doesn't overpower. Your girls and the honey trick sounds exactly like something our youngest would pull.

Elizabeth Johnson

I use the same IC XC NIKA stamp for Elias bread too—keeps it straightforward like the prophet’s own fire. The anise idea for Demetrios is new to me; I usually just add a handful of sesame on top so the kids can pick them off one by one while it’s still warm. Does the anise make the crumb too sweet for your family or do they go back for seconds?

Matthew Scott

Yeah, the prosphora really shifts how the whole proskomide feels once you've mixed and stamped a batch yourself. We kept ours to an hour ten this morning even with the fans going—started right at 7:30 like you. You use the youth-group recipe or tweak the water temp?

Michael Morris

The honey sneak attack sounds about right—my son does the same with the prosphora we bring home after liturgy. Never thought of anise for St. Demetrios bread; I might try it next time with a little honey glaze like you do for Elias. Does the licorice come through strong or does it mostly fade into the background?

David Turner

Yeah, the anise in the St. Demetrios bread stays pretty mellow once it's baked, more like a warm background note than straight licorice. The honey glaze on the Elias loaves is my go-to because my roommate's kids always fight over the crust. You should try a light touch of it next time; it pairs nice with the prosphora your son keeps raiding.

Anna Moore

Yeah, that homemade batch makes the proskomide feel completely different – like you're actually offering something from your own hands. We stuck with the youth-group recipe but I bumped the water to 38°C last time and it rose quicker. How do you stop yours from sticking to the stamp?

Helen Bennett

The anise does fade nicely into the background once it's baked, just like David said. My son used to do the same honey sneak attack with the prosphora until I started cutting smaller pieces for him to take home. Have you tried adding a pinch of cinnamon to the Elias dough? It gives the crust a little extra warmth without overpowering the honey.

Laura Lewis

My grandkids do the exact same honey sneak attack with the prosphora—half of it never makes it to the breakfast table. The anise in the Demetrios bread stays mild for me too, but I skip the cinnamon Helen mentioned and just brush a little olive oil on top before the honey glaze. Have you baked the Demetrios loaves yourself yet?

Paul Davis

That 38°C tweak makes sense – mine always needs the full 40 minutes in the bowl or it fights the stamp. I dust the wooden one lightly with plain flour right before pressing; stops the sticking without messing up the seal. What’s in that youth-group recipe of yours?

Grace Thomas

The 38°C water sounds clever – mine always comes out a bit stubborn if the kitchen’s not warm enough. I use a light dusting of rice flour on the stamp instead of plain; it seems to leave a cleaner seal on the prosphora. What’s the rest of that youth-group recipe like?

Sophia Campbell

That flour dusting trick works great on my wooden one too—plain flour, nothing fancy. My youth group one is just the basic parish cookbook version: 3 cups flour, half cup sugar, a packet of yeast, warm milk, and a touch of mahleb for that smell. Ever tried adding a little mastic?