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High Priest Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of Agios Nikolaos in Vilniustranslated

July 13, 2026 · 1 min read

On Paralytic Sunday, the Most Reverend Bishop of Tamissos Mr. Panaretos, Patriarchal Exarch of Lithuania, presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of Agios Nikolaos in Vilnius, which in the past functioned as the church of the Prisons. Protopresbyter Fr. Vladimiros and Deacon Fr. Platon collaborated, while Fr. Vladimiros took over the sermon of the day, developing the Gospel reading of the Sunday of the Paralytic and the timeless message of the healing presence of the Risen Christ.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness conveyed to the congregation the paternal wishes and the blessing of A.Th. His Holiness, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, underlining that the presence of the Patriarchal Exarchy in Lithuania is an expression of the continuous care and love of the Mother Church for all her spiritual children.

On the occasion of the Gospel reading, the Most High Theophilus urged the faithful not to be spiritually paralyzed by disappointment, fear or apathy, but to trust their lives in Christ, Who continues to heal and restore the person who comes to Him with faith and humility.…

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Ilie Nistor

Good thing they mentioned that old prison church. I remembered Father Vladimir's sermon about how Christ does not let us be paralyzed by fear or laziness. Thanks for the news.

Hana Dvořáková

Thanks for the article. I was most interested in the church in the prison - to imagine how it is used there now instead of the old castles. And father Vladimír hit it again, the paralysis from laziness or fear is very familiar to me.

Марина Богданова

Interestingly, this used to be a prison church. I can imagine how, after the old castles, they now sing “Christ is Risen” there. And Father Vladimir’s sermon is right on point—I also often think about this spiritual paralysis from fear and laziness. Thanks for the news.

Tereza Svobodová

You're right, the prison church is interesting. I imagine how the gospel sounds there now instead of castles and people feel freer there. What stuck in my head the most was how Father Vladimír spoke about the spiritual paralysis - I also immediately translated that into my own life.

Константин Козлов

Yes, Marina, it’s interesting that in the former prison church they now sing “Christ is Risen” - just like liberation. Father Vladimir’s sermon hooked me too, especially about akidia: sometimes I myself catch myself giving up, and then you dig in the garden - and it becomes easier. Do you often go to this church in Vilnius?

Валентина Соловьёва

Yes, Konstantin, the former prison church is indeed now a place of real liberation. I, too, still have the sermon about akidia in my head - after the service, sometimes I just take a walk in our Yaroslavl park, and it’s easier. Do you visit Vilnius often or do you mostly follow the comments?