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The Great Supplication in the once shining Monastery of Panagia Galaktoktismine Rizatranslated

August 13, 2026 · 1 min read

In a gloomy atmosphere, on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in the Holy Monastery of Panagia Galaktoktismines Riza of the Parish of Skordylos, Sitia, the service of the High Priestly Vespers and the Great Prayer Rule to the Blessed Virgin Mary was held, during which Rev. Metropolitan of Ierapytni and Sitia Mr. Kyrillos. In his sermon, His Holiness referred to the venerable Mother of God and the honor and reverence that Christians give to it, as well as their secret relationship with the Doom of the world. As he pointed out, in these days of the Fifteenth of August our sorrows and desires become a plea to our Virgin Mary and every time we turn to the maternal embrace and shelter of the Mother of God but our own spiritual Mother, she hears our secret sighs and transfers our requests to her Son and our God.

He also referred to the continuing old tradition, every year during the fifteenth of August, many believers come and participate in the services in this old church of the old Monastery of Panagia, called Galaktoktismene, because...

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Андрій Бойко

It is interesting that the monastery is called Galactoktistheni because it is associated with milk. And in Bishop Kirill's sermon, he spoke well about how our loves and desires these days become simply a paraklesis to the Mother of God. Apparently, many of us do exactly that when we go to the Assumption Lent service.

Степан Тарасов

It is interesting that the monastery is called Galaktoktisteni - probably because of some miracle with milk, as in our legends about icons. And Bishop Kirill accurately noticed about kahmania and desires, which during the Dormition Fast turn into a complete paraklisis. Many of us in the choir are also singing Paraklisis these days, and you really feel as if you are addressing Her directly.

Elena García

Yes, the name Galactoktisteni has always caught my attention, it must come from some ancient story with milk, like those traditions they mention. What I liked most about Bishop Kirilos' sermon is how he said that in these days of the Dormition our longings become pure Paraclesis to the Virgin. Here in the parish we also notice that people come to the church more during fasting.