Pre-Ecclesiastical Vigil at the Holy Church of the Dormition of Mesenicola Karditsistranslated

On the evening of Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Thessaly and Phanariofersalon Mr. Timotheus presided over the Holy Vigil at the Holy Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mesenikola, in the context of the spiritual preparation of the faithful for the great feast of the Dormition and Transfiguration of the Most Holy Theotokos. In the above-mentioned Holy Church, the sacred and venerable icon of the Virgin of Koroni and the graceful chariot of the Holy Hieromartyr Seraphim, Archbishop of Phanarios and Neochorio, the miracle worker, are placed for veneration.

During his speech, he first referred to the great feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which the Church experiences as the "Easter of the summer", pointing out that the Holy Vigil is an important opportunity for the spiritual preparation of the faithful, so that they can approach the event of the Assumption and Metastasis of the Virgin Mary with faith and awareness.

Interpreting the meaning of the holiday, he emphasized that the Transfiguration of the Virgin is a revelation of Christ's victory over death and decay. Just as Christ abolished death with His Resurrection, so also the Virgin Mary, after her Ascension, moved to heavenly glory, a fact that reveals the...