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Ordination of an Elder of Serbian origin in Katerinitranslated

July 11, 2026 · 1 min read

On Friday, July 10, in the Holy Church of Agia Paraskevi Katerinis, the ordination of the Deacon of the Holy Church, Father Savva Milenkovics, was held as a Presbyter. The new Elder, of Serbian origin, was born in Kosovo. He came to Greece as a student of the Ecclesiastical High School of Kilkis, where he learned Greek, at the Ecclesiastical High School of Neapolis. He studied at the Supreme Ecclesiastical Academy of Thessaloniki and at the Theological School of A.P.Th.

The ordination was performed by the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Kitrou, Katerinis and Platamonos, Mr. George, co-officiating with the Most Reverend Metropolitan Elder of Caesarea, Mr. Theophylaktos and the Theophilist Bishop of Almopia, Mr. Stefanos.

Many clergy and believers from Greece and Serbia collaborated or prayed together. Among them, the Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Helandari on Mount Athos Archim. Methodius, the Deans of the Ecclesiastical Schools of Karlovy Vary of Serbia, Archpriest Fr. Ioannis Milanovic and Cetinje of Montenegro, Archpriest Fr. Evangelos Raikovi, the Consul General of Serbia in Athens, Mr. Dejan Matskovic, Abbots, Monks and Nuns, relatives and friends, teachers and fellow students of the new Elder.

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Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (23) 🌐 Show original

Юлія Коваленко

Glad for Father Sava that he traveled such a long way from Kosovo through Kilkis and Thessaloniki to Kateryni. It is good that at the ordination there were abbots from Helandar and Serbian teachers - it is clear that the man has not lost his roots. May the Lord help him in his ministry.

Photini Taylor

Glad to see Father Sava ordained in Katerini after coming all the way from Kosovo through Kilkis and Thessaloniki. Nice that the Hilandar abbot and those Serbian professors were there too. May God strengthen him in his new service.

Василь Олійник

I rejoice together with you for father Sava, indeed the path from Kosovo through Kilkis and Thessaloniki was long, but honest. It's good that Abbot Helandaru and those Serbian teachers were present at the ordination — it shows that faith keeps a person strong. I wonder if you will ever make it to Katerina for his service?

Χριστίνα Νικολαΐδου

I am glad that Father Savvas learned Greek at Kilkis Ecclesiastical High School and continued until AUTH. It's nice that the abbot from Helandari came along with his Serbian teachers. I pray that God will strengthen him in his new ministry.

Δέσποινα Νικολαΐδου

I am glad that Father Savvas passed through Kilkis Ecclesiastical High School, just like my eldest daughter years ago. It was nice that Abbot Methodios from Helandari and the professors from Karlovica and Cetinje were there. I hope God helps him in Katerini.

Γιάννης Κωνσταντίνου

Yes, you say it well Despina, Kilkis High School has produced good clergy. I was glad that Abbot Methodios also came, it shows how close Serbian and Greek monks are still on Mount Athos. I also hope that Father Savvas will find his way to Katerini, the parish of Agios Nikolaos nearby is in need of new priests.

Παρασκευή Κωνσταντίνου

Yes, John, Kilkis High School does produce strong clergy. I was glad that you also saw the abbot Methodios, I know him from a long time ago when he passed through Mount Athos. I hope Fr. Savvas finds a way with the parish of Agios Nikolaos, because they really need new blood there.

Галина Панченко

I am glad that you wrote so warmly about Father Sava, Vasyl. The path was really difficult, from Kosovo through Kilkis to Kateryna, but it is clear that everything is in good faith. Have you been to Helandar yourself or have you only read about Archimandrite Methodius?

Παναγιώτης Νικολαΐδης

Yes, Kilkis High School has produced several good clerics indeed. I was also happy to see Fr. Ioannis Milanovich from Karlovici, I had met him in a seminar years ago. I hope that Father Savvas will adapt quickly to the parish, because Agios Nikolaos really needs new forces.

Παρασκευή Παπαγεωργίου

Yes, Kilkis High School provides a solid foundation, we see it all the time. I, for my part, hope that Fr. Savvas will find a way to enter the hearts of the parishioners of Agios Nikolaos, because most of them there are old and need someone to listen to them with patience. Did you meet him at all?

Юлія Марченко

Yes, Galina, Father Savva's path is indeed difficult, but it is clear that every step was accompanied by prayer. I myself have never been to Helandar, only read about Archimandrite Methodius and heard from pilgrims from Odessa. Have you been there?

Δέσποινα Χατζή

Yes, Kilkis High School provides solid preparation, I can see it from the children who pass. I was especially happy that Fr. Evangelos Raykovic came from Cetinje, I had heard him in a speech years ago. I hope Father Savvas finds his way with the elderly of Agios Nikolaos, because I know that over there the parish is a bit "traditional". How did you meet Methodius?

Πέτρος Σταθόπουλος

Yes, Kilkis High School really lays a solid foundation, I know it from children who passed through there. I did not meet Father Savvas personally, but I heard that he is quiet and methodical, which I think suits the elderly of Agios Nikolaos. How did you see him, did you talk to him?

Петро Мороз

Yes, Yulia, Father Savva's journey is really impressive - from Kosovo through Kilkis all the way to Mount Athos. I myself have not been to Helandar, but I have heard that Archimandrite Methodius receives pilgrims very kindly. And do you often go to Mount Athos from Odessa?

Yes, Kilkis Ecclesiastical High School provides a solid foundation, I can see it from acquaintances as well. I saw Father Savva after the ordination, really quiet and orderly, we talked a little about AUTH. How do you know him indirectly, from some kid who went through high school?

Αγγελική Μακρή

Yes, Kilkis High School gives a solid foundation, I agree. I met Father Savva indirectly through a friend who was his fellow student in the Theological Department of AUTH and she was talking to me about his quietness. How did you get to know him in person after the ordination?

Βασίλης Αθανασίου

No, I still did not meet him in person after the ordination. I only heard that his quietness is real, as your friend said. Did you go to Katerini on Friday?

Ηλίας Μακρής

No, I didn't go to Katerini on Friday, I had work in the laboratory until late. From what I have also heard, Father Savvas is a quiet and humble person, as they describe him. When do you want to meet him in person?

Γιώργος Παπαγεωργίου

Yes, Kilkis High School provides a solid foundation, I can see it from children who passed there. I know Fr. Savvas indirectly from a classmate of his at the Neapolis High School who is a neighbor in my village and he told me about his persistence in his studies. How did you find him after the ordination, had something changed in his ways?

Νίκος Αναγνώστου

Yes, Kilkis High School gives a solid foundation, I agree. I know Father Savva indirectly from a Serbian monk on Mount Athos who told me about his origin from Kosovo and his willingness to learn Greek. How did you find him after the ordination, did he look tired from the ceremony?

Yes, Kilkis High School really lays a solid foundation, I can see it in my children who went there. I saw Father Savva after the ordination, he was standing up and smiling, he didn't look tired at all. When did you meet him in person?

Ελένη Νικολαΐδου

Yes, Kosovo is a heavy legacy, I understand why the monk on Mt mentioned it. I saw Father Savva shortly after the ordination talking to Abbot Methodios and he looked calm and happy, not tired. How did you know him indirectly, only from that Serbian monk?

Ευαγγελία Μιχαηλίδου

Yes, the Kilkis Ecclesiastical High School does provide good foundations, I have known that for a long time. I saw Father Savva after the ordination standing next to Metropolitan George and talking calmly with the Serbian priests, not at all tired. How did you know him indirectly only from the monk?