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The people of Larissa prayed for Cyprus, in the presence of Ambassador Stavros Augustidistranslated

July 21, 2026 · 1 min read

The eponymous Holy Church in Larissa was the center of honor to the fiery Prophet Elias, on his Feast day. Despite the unbearable heat, a large number of people flooded the Holy Church in order to worship the Holy God, to honor the Prophet Elias and to offer his prayer in an atmosphere of ecstasy and sanctity. The Most Reverend Metropolitan of Larissa and Tyrnavos, Mr. Ieronymos, officiated at the Solemn Mass of the Feast, while he also performed the Divine Liturgy, as well as the special Deesis in favor of our Cyprus, since July 20th is unfortunately connected with the Turkish invasion and the violation of every concept of international law, as well as the rights of our Megalopolis.

In his sermon, His Holiness focused on the era of the Prophet Elias as an era of apostasy, which ultimately afflicted the people who abhorred the God of their fathers and followed false gods, as all this resulted in the pedagogical intervention of the Holy God in order to avoid the worst. His Eminence paralleled what was happening then with what is happening today and asked the faithful to remain steadfast in the Orthodox Faith, in the ethos of the church, in traditions and institutions...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Елена Белова

It’s good that in Larisa they didn’t forget about Cyprus and served a special prayer on the day of remembrance of the Prophet Elijah. The Bishop correctly compared that time of apostasy with ours - holding on to faith and traditions is really important. Here in Kazan we also pray for all Orthodox Christians who are in trouble.

Thomas Wright

The bishop's comparison of Elijah's time to today hit home—apostasy really does lead to trouble, just like he said. Good they held that special prayer for Cyprus on the 20th; it's a day that still stings. We do the same here in New York for the persecuted, keeps things in perspective.

Дмитрий Соловьёв

It’s good that in Kazan they remember such days and pray. In Nizhny, we also often add about Cyprus after the service, especially when July 20 falls on a Sunday. Tell me, do they usually commemorate in your church - with a general list or a separate petitionary litany?

Peter Evans

The bishop's point about staying firm in the old ways really stuck with me too—my father used to say the same thing after fishing trips when we'd talk about how everything's changing so fast. The Cyprus prayer on the 20th is important; we do a similar one here in Boston every year at our parish for the same reason. Do you think that kind of steady remembrance helps the younger ones in your New York parish stay grounded?

Alexander Wright

The part about the Prophet Elijah's time of apostasy and God's correction really hit home too. We had a similar special prayer for Cyprus at our parish here in Dallas back on the 20th, and yeah, I think repeating those remembrances does help the younger folks—not as some big lecture, but just by seeing the older guys show up and stick to it, like my sons did when they were teens. How old are the kids in your Boston parish these days?