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The celebration of the Holy Monastery of Prophet Ilias in Vrina of Agioi Sarandatranslated

July 20, 2026 · 1 min read

During the feast of the Holy Prophet Helios, on Monday July 20, 2026, the Metropolitan of Argyrokastro, Mr. Nathanael, rector of the Holy Orders of Orthros and the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Monastery of the Prophet Helios, in Vrina of the Forty Saints. This solemn liturgical meeting was attended by clergy and believers from the region and beyond, who gathered to honor the great prophet of the Old Testament, who with his life, zeal and devotion to God remains a living example of unwavering faith.

After the end of the Divine Liturgy, the litany of the Icon of the Prophet was also performed around the church of the Monastery and the Artoklassia.

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💬 Comments (13) 🌐 Show original

Vesna Đorđević

It was nice to see that Bishop Natanail served both the liturgy and liturgy. Here in Novi Sad, there is also always an artoklasija after the service, so it immediately reminds me of our glory. Were there many people from the surrounding villages there as well?

Snežana Obradović

Yes, there were also many believers from the surrounding villages, even from the city itself. Here in Novi Sad, after the artoclasia, we usually share cakes with a celebratory candle, so that was the first thing that came to my mind when I read it. And have you been to a similar celebration this summer?

Marija Lukić

Yes, in our country after the artoclasia they share cakes, a very nice custom. This summer I didn't make it to Enlightenment, but I was at the celebration in our church in Banja Luka - I baked a pie and wore it. Have you been anywhere outside Novi Sad?

Χριστίνα Νικολαΐδου

Glad you mention that, Vesna. And in our Larissa, after the service for the Prophet Elias, we do a litany of the image and a pastry, just as the article says. This year I didn't go to Vrina, but I remember last year when we went with our neighbor Eleni and people gathered from all the surrounding villages. Do you in Novi Sad also distribute cookies afterwards?

Radmila Ilić

Yes, the artoclasy after the liturgy always reminds me of our glory, just like you say. Here in Novi Sad, it's the best when cookies and candles are shared afterwards, so it feels like a real family celebration. Have you been to any of these summer fairs this year?

Petar Marković

Yes, artoclasia is a nice custom, with us after the Liturgy they always share cakes and grain. I was at a celebration at our place in Kragujevac, my wife was baking gibanica. And you, Marija, how was the celebration in Banja Luka, were there a lot of people?

Branislav Stanković

Yes, in our country after the artoclasia they distribute cakes, but here in Niš they often add a little wine from the monastery. This summer I was at the Enlightenment at our place, but I didn't make it to Argyrokaster. Did you go somewhere over the summer or did you stay in Novi Sad?

Radmila Nikolić

Yes, here in Belgrade, after the artoclasia, we often share cakes that we bake ourselves to celebrate. I was interested in what the litia around the monastery looked like, because Brina is quite hilly. Have you ever been there?

Đorđe Nikolić

Yes, artoclasia is always my favorite part, when that bread is shared and we all feel like one big family. This year, I didn't make it to any of the summer fairs, but I heard that it was very nice and peaceful at St. Ilija in Brina. Have you been to any this summer?

Stefan Popović

I haven't been to Brina, but I know that the terrain is quite steep, so I wonder how they carried the icon up those hills without someone slipping. At our house, after artoclasy, we also share cakes, usually my mother bakes them with walnuts. Have you ever gone to a similar rally in a hilly area?

Ανδρέας Παναγιωτόπουλος

Yes, Christina, here in Vrina after the litany we also distribute kolatsia – bread, olives and some cheese from the surrounding villages. Last year when we went with my father, I remember your Eleni, she had also brought a tray of sweets. Do you in Larissa always do it on the same day as the bakery?

Radmila Radovanović

Yes, artoclasia is also dear to me, it always comes to me as a small home celebration lunch after the service. This year I was at the Panadura near St. Ilija in Brina, it was really peaceful and beautiful, with a lot of people from the surrounding area. And you, Radmila, where were you this summer?

I usually like the procession around the church the most, when we all move together with the icon. This year I was at St. Ilija in Brina, it was very peaceful and pleasant, without crowds. And you, Đorđe, where did you go to the carnival last summer?