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Lord Prinokokkas and his competitors were honored in Kastritranslated

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

On Sunday 5 July 2026 in Kastri, the established events of honor and memory were held for Lord Prinokokkas and his fellow fighters, who fell in the battle of Kastri in 1460 resisting the Ottomans. Initially, in the Parish Church of Agia Varvara, the Orthros and the High Priestly Divine Liturgy of the preeminent of the Most Reverend Metropolitan Mr. Efstathios were performed. In his meaningful speech, the Pastor analyzed the Gospel passage of the day, which referred to the healing of two demon-possessed people in the country of the Gergesenes, drawing parallels with today's era of alienation and disorientation.

Afterwards, a Doxology was performed and the day's eulogy was delivered by Ms. Elpiniki Paraskevopoulou, President of the Kastoria Youth Association.

Immediately after, there was a transition to the monument of the fallen heroes, where a memorial service was held by our Most Reverend Metropolitan. This was followed by the laying of wreaths by the local rulers present, a minute's silence and the playing of our National Anthem. The event was co-organized by the Municipality of Sparta and the Municipal Community of Kastoria.

Present at the events were the member of parliament for Laconia, Mr...

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Тарас Шевчук

The text was good, but I was impressed by the speech of Metropolitan Evstathius. He took the circumcision with the δαιμονισμένους of Γergesiņyn and brought it to today's era of alienation - I listened carefully to this. Thank you for mentioning it.

Андрій Бойко

Yes, it was that part about the Hergesyns and modern alienation that got me too. Metropolitan Eleutherius always knows how to connect the Gospel with what is happening around so simply and accurately. And were you at the service itself or did you read afterwards?

Горан Ангеловски

Yes, exactly that part with the people of Gerges and today's estrangement stuck in my head. Metropolitan Eustathius said it so simply, as if he were talking about our quarter in Skopje, and not about a gospel story. I was at the liturgy, it was nice.

Марія Ткаченко

Yes, it was the parallel with the Hergesyns and today's alienation that was remembered. I also paid attention to how Metropolitan Eleutheriy showed without any unnecessary words where we are driving ourselves. Do you often attend such eulogies in Castries or was this the first time?

Николай Христов

It is good that you mention this very part of the sermon about the Gergesians and today's alienation. Metropolitan Eustathius always speaks simply without puffing up. I wasn't there, but if it's like last year in Crete, there must have been a lot of people and then coffee in the municipality.

Ірина Шевченко

Yes, it was precisely that parallel with the Hergesyns that struck me - when a person gives himself up to death, like those poor people. I was in Castries for the second time, last year I also came for the commemoration, but this time I especially remembered the eulogy by Elpinika, without pathos. What village are you from?

Daniel Davis

The bit about linking the Gergesene demoniacs to today’s alienation really stuck with me too – the bishop put it plainly without any fancy words. I wasn’t there this year but the wreath-laying and the minute’s silence at the monument always feel heavy. Anyone know if Elpiniki’s speech is online?

Сергій Шевченко

Yes, it is precisely that part about the self-willed giving of oneself to potala that sinks into the soul. I also liked Elpinika's eulogy - short, to the point, without too much. I am from a neighboring village, from Xenaka, and I often come here these days. And where are you from, Iryna?

Кирил Костов

It's good that you mention the sermon about the Gergesians, Nikolay. The Metropolitan really speaks simply and to the point, without unnecessary words. Were you in Crete last year? I was in Crete two summers ago fishing and after the service there was indeed a coffee in the commune, just as you say.

Јасмина Стојановска

Yes, I also liked how he connected Metropolitan Eustathius with the Gergesians and today's estrangement. He spoke so casually, as if we were sitting for coffee in Tetovo. Goran, were you also at the memorial service after?

Красимира Колева

It's good that you point it out Nikolay, it was that part about alienation that stuck in my mind - it was like he was talking about us today in the store where people are locked on their phones. I was at the service this year, there were quite a few people, and after the deja in the municipality they also gave out a pie each, as is their turn. Do you know his style from last year in Crete?