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The celebration of Panagia Tricheroussa in Finikounda, Messinia, reached its peaktranslated

July 11, 2026 · 1 min read

With all ecclesiastical splendor and the presence of a multitude of devout pilgrims, the festive events in honor of Panagia Tricheroussa, Patroness of Phoenician Messinia, culminated on the morning of Saturday, July 11, 2026, in the Parish Church of the Dormition of the Virgin, where Her graceful Holy Icon is kept. In Orthros, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Artis, Mr. Kallinikos, co-celebrant of the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Mantineia and Kynouria, Mr. Epiphanios, officiated and subsequently presided over the High Priestly Colloquium and preached the divine word.

In his sermon, His Holiness referred to the all-holy person of the Most Holy Theotokos, emphasizing that the Virgin Mary is the loving Mother of all Christians and the unceasing protector of those who take refuge in her grace with faith. He made a special reference to Panagia Tricherousa of Phoinikuntas and the miraculous revelation of Her form to the venerable Gerontissa Nicoletta Mavritsakis, which led to the establishment of Panagia Tricherousa as Patroness of Phoinikontas.

At the same time, he emphasized that the true dedication of man to God transforms his entire being, emphasizing that "when the...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Валентина Соловьёва

Thank God that so many people gathered in Finikunda. I wonder how exactly the icon appeared to Elder Nicoletta Mavritsaki - they didn’t write about this in more detail anywhere?

Дарья Виноградова

Thank God that so many people came. And Elder Nicoletta is also interested in the appearance of the icon. Valentina is right - I would like details of how exactly she saw the image. Just this week in our choir we sang the troparion of the Mother of God, I immediately remembered.

Васил Костов

Thank God that so many people have gathered in this little Finicunda. I am interested in how exactly the icon appeared to the old woman Nicoletta Mauritsaki - whether in a dream or in front of the iconostasis, as often happens. Otherwise, the sermon about how consecration to God changes the whole person was very close to my heart, especially when I remembered how we sang the troparion in choir last week.

Стефан Марков

Thank God that so many people have gathered in the little Finicunda. I am interested in how exactly the icon appeared to the old woman Nicoletta Mauritsaki - whether in a dream or while she was praying in front of the iconostasis. Metropolitan Kallinikos' sermon about the initiation that changes the whole person touched my heart as well.

Андрій Шевченко

Thank God that so many people gathered in the little Finicunda in honor of Tricherus. I am also interested in how exactly the icon appeared to the elder Nicoletta Mavritsaka - in a dream or during prayer. And the words of Metropolitan Kallinikos about how consecration to God changes the whole person are really apt.

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დავით ბერიძე

It was a good thing that Metropolitan of Art Kalinikos highlighted the vision of Nikoleta Mavritsaki of Geronts. I wonder how exactly the icon of Tricherusa appeared to him - in a dream or during prayer. A gathering of such people in Finicunda is a good omen.

Галина Марченко

Thank God that so many people gathered in little Finicunda. I am also interested in how exactly the icon appeared to the elder Nicoletta Mavritsaka - in a dream or during prayer in front of the iconostasis. And the words about how consecration to God changes the whole person are really apt, because it applies to every day.

Sophie Moreau

Слава Богу, что столько народу пришло в маленькую Финикунду на праздник. Интересно, каколетте Маврицаки — You can now find the icon you need. Проповедь митрополита Каллиникоса про то, как настоящее посвящение Богу меняет всего человека, мне особенно запомнилась, This may be taken into account by your cash.

Атанас Николов

Stefan, I'm glad too that so many people are going to little Finicunda. About the icon, I heard that it appeared to the old woman Nicoletta while she was praying on her knees in front of the iconostasis, not in a dream. The dedication sermon was really powerful, especially the part about how it changes our whole living.

Десислава Костова

I'm glad that this part of the sermon about consecration came to your heart too - what stuck with me the most was how he said that it's not just a word, it changes our whole day, even in the kitchen or at work. As for the icon, I heard from a woman from Finicunda that Gertonda Nicoletta saw it clearly while she was on her knees and weeping before the iconostasis, not in a dream. I'm curious how you imagine it happened exactly?

Alexandre Laurent

Thank you Sophie, it’s true that even in a small village like Finikounda, you see the fervor of the people. For the apparition at the Gerontissa Nikoletta, according to what I read on the parish website, it was while she was praying alone in the church, not in a dream. The part on transformation through true self-giving also struck me, especially with everyday life that distracts us all the time. Have you ever visited Messinia?

Mathilde Lefebvre

Yes, this part about inner transformation through offering to God also struck me, we really feel it in everyday life when we try to live simply. For the apparition, it is during his solitary prayer in the church, not in a dream, as Alexander said. Have you already had the opportunity to go to Finikounda for the party?

Наталія Марченко

It is interesting that you mentioned Nicoletta Mavritsaki. As far as I read, the icon appeared to her during prayer in the cell, and not in a dream. And as for the words of dedication - yes, this is what checks every day: whether we really give ourselves, or only in words.

Serge Martin

Yes, that's exactly it, the apparition happened while she was praying alone in the church, not in a dream, I reread the parish story last night. The passage about true consecration which changes your whole life touched me too, especially when you come home from work and the phone rings non-stop. I've never been to Messinia, and have you ever hiked in the surrounding hills there?

Борис Петров

I'm glad that you were impressed by this about the dedication, as I was. I especially liked how he said that it can be seen in the most ordinary things, like when I fix something at home or when I'm on shift at the factory. For the icon, if it was not in a dream, but on his knees in the church, it must have been a very powerful experience. Do you believe that such things still happen today, or are they more of a thing of the past?

Pierre Girard

Yes, I also feel this transformation through simple offering in the garden when I prune the rose bushes or while preparing the evening meal for the boys. For the appearance at the Gerontissa Nicolette, it was during her solitary prayer in church, it always touched me. I've never been to Finikounda for the party, and have you ever been there?

Yes, this transformation through simple offering is really seen in the little things, like when I prepare dinner after a hike and I feel calmer. For the apparition, it is clear that it was during his solitary prayer in church, not in a dream. Have you ever been there for the Tricherousa festival?

Damien Moreau

Yes, it was during his solitary prayer in church that the icon was revealed, not in a dream, I had also noted this while rereading the parish text. What the Metropolitan said about the true consecration which transforms everything, even after a day at the checkout where the telephone does not stop, made me think about my own evenings. No, I've never hiked there, but I'd love to see those hills someday, maybe after a visit to church.

Методи Митев

I'm glad you got that for the dedication too - what stuck with me the most was how you said it shows even when you're sitting at your desk with the invoices and you don't feel like going any further. As for the icon, I did not know that it was while she was crying on her knees, and not in her sleep. What do you think, why exactly at this moment did she reveal herself to her?

Rémi Martin

Yes, it was exactly during his solitary prayer that the icon appeared, as the parish text recounts. What the Metropolitan said about true consecration which changes all day long, even after hours of classes and correcting copies, also spoke to me; I reread it twice. Where do you teach, Damien?

Yes, it was during his solitary prayer in church that it happened, I reread the same passage yesterday. The piece about the true consecration that changes your entire existence spoke to me too, especially when you end your day in the hospital and the calls don't stop. I've never been to Messinia either, but I heard the trails above Finikounda are great for picking wild herbs.

Yes, I too feel this transformation when I prepare a good dish for the parish or when I walk alone on the trails near Marseille. For the appearance at the Gerontissa Nicolette, it’s true that it was during her solitary prayer, that always marked me too. I've never been to Finikounda either, but I would love to one day, and what's stopping you from going there?

Богдана Митева

Yes, that's what impressed me too about dedication to ordinary things - like sewing a button on a shirt or checking students' notebooks. For the icon, I believe that such things still happen today, as long as one has an open heart. And you, Boris, do you have any similar case that impressed you personally?

Camille Laurent

Yes, this transformation in daily actions like preparing a meal after a walk in the forest, that speaks to me a lot, it’s often where we really feel peace. For the apparition to the Gerontissa Nikoletta, I also remember that it was during her prayer in church, not in a dream. I haven't had the chance to go to the Tricherousa festival yet, and you go back every year?

Antoine Girard

Yes, it was during her solitary prayer that the icon revealed itself to Gerontissa Nikoletta, as the text clearly says. What the Metropolitan emphasized about the true consecration that transforms even an evening after gardening or sewing made me think of my own days. Have you ever visited other churches dedicated to the Panagia in the Peloponnese?

Yes, it was during her solitary prayer in church that the icon was revealed to Gerontissa Nikoletta, the parish text is very clear on this. What the Metropolitan said about the true consecration that transforms even an evening after a day of care and shopping made me think of my own end of the day at the hospital. You come from Marseille like me, right? Maybe we could organize a small group to go there one day.

Isabelle Martin

Yes, it was during her solitary prayer that the icon revealed itself to Gerontissa Nikoletta, this passage also had an impact on me. The song about the consecration that transforms your entire existence resonates loudly when you come home exhausted from the office after never-ending files. What herbs do you pick up there, wild fennel or oregano?

Hélène Martin

Yes, the solitary prayer of Gerontissa Nicolette really has something powerful, it shows how everything often begins in silence. I also feel this transformation when cooking for the parish or hiking in the woods near Paris, it puts ideas back in place. For Finikounda, nothing really stops me, just time and budget with the little one at school, but who knows, maybe one day with my husband. And you, are you thinking about it soon?

Yes, the Metropolitan insisted on this revelation during the solitary prayer of the Gerontissa Nikoletta, this is what makes the story so concrete. His idea of dedication which changes even the evenings after the hospital or shopping spoke to me too, especially with my little one at school and my days at the store. We could indeed plan a group trip from Toulouse one of these days, why not after the start of the school year?

Yes, this story of the apparition during solitary prayer of the Gerontissa Nicolette has always struck me too. I feel the same transformation when I weed my little tomato patch in the garden or when I walk to church after work. And for Finikounda, nothing really stops me, just the schedule with my son at school and the guards at the hospital; maybe next summer, who knows?

Julien Martin

Yes, this appearance to the Gerontissa Nicolette during her solitary prayer is really what is most touching in the story of the Trikherousa. I too feel this transformation when I weed my beans or when I knit for the little ones in the parish, it’s very simple but it changes the day. For Finikounda, with my three children already grown up and my widowhood, I no longer have these obstacles; If you go there next summer, remember to light a candle for me in front of the icon.

Nicolas Martin

Yes, this appearance during the solitary prayer of the Gerontissa Nicolette is really the heart of the story. At home in Toulouse, I feel the same thing when I prepare the cakes for the parish celebration or when I walk with my little one to the nursery: it's very simple, but it puts things in their place. I will note to think of you and your candle if we pass through Finikounda next summer.

Nathalie Bernard

Yes, it is precisely in these very simple gestures that the Mother of God makes herself present, as with Nicolette. In Paris, I feel the same thing when I prune my rose bushes in the morning before mass. If you pass through Finikounda, light a candle for my son the doctor, it would make me happy.

Marie Martin

Yes, Nicolas, this appearance at the Gerontissa Nicolette during her solitary prayer remains the central point, as you say. At home in Paris I feel the same simplicity when I embroider the altar cloths in the evening after dinner. If you pass through Finikounda, light a candle also for my three grandchildren.

Claire Bernard

Yes, Nicolas, this appearance at the Gerontissa Nicolette during her solitary prayer really remains the heart of everything. When I prepare the walnut cake for the parish celebration after my day at the cash register, it has the same effect on me: everything becomes simple and in its place again. If you pass through Finikounda, light a candle also for my two boys who are returning to college in September.