The Holy Icon of Panagia Sumela for the first time in Rethymnontranslated

With special joy and deep emotion, the Holy Metropolis of Rethymno and Avlopotamos announces the arrival, for the first time in Rethymno, of the historic and venerable Holy Icon of Panagia Soumela, from the homonymous Holy Pilgrimage of Vermio, from Saturday 24 to Thursday 29 October 2026. The arrival of the Holy Icon is a special spiritual and ecclesiastical event for our place, as it provides the pious staff of our local Church with the special blessing of worshiping the famous Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, which is inextricably linked to the centuries-old Orthodox tradition, faith and historical memory of Pontic Hellenism.

The official reception of the Holy Icon will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., in the Holy Church of the Holy Four Martyrs in the city of Rethymno.

The Holy Icon will be accompanied to Rethymno by the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Berea, Naoussa and Campania Mr. Panteleimon and the President of the Holy Foundation "Panagia Sumela" Mr. Georgios Tanimanidis, together with clergy and laity.

During the period from Saturday 24 to Thursday 29 October 2026, the Holy Icon will remain for veneration in the Holy…