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Recommendations of Trikkis Chrysostomou to the Associations for the local festivalstranslated

July 4, 2026 · 1 min read

The Metropolitan of Trikki, Gardiki and Pyli Mr. Chrysostomos addresses with a circular to the Cultural Associations of the Holy Metropolis touching on the issue of coordinating the local festivals with the liturgical program of the parishes.

His Eminence refers to the phenomenon of organizing cultural events on the eve of local holidays, during the festive Vespers. As he emphasizes, this practice often makes it difficult for believers and members of associations to participate in holy services.

"The Solemn Vespers, which is the spiritual beginning of the holiday, lacks the participation of many people", notes Metropolitan Trikkis, while also underlining the consequences of the long-hour events for the participation of the faithful in the following day and in the Divine Liturgy.

For this reason, Metropolitan Mr. Chrysostomos proposes that the traditional festivals and cultural activities take place on the main day of the feast, in the afternoon or evening hours, so that the participation of the people in Vespers and the Divine Liturgy precedes.

In addition, the circular makes special mention of fasting days. His Holiness begs organizers to avoid…

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (13) 🌐 Show original

Ion Popescu

In our sânmânt from Sâncrăieni, the young people organized the dance before Vespers, and many people returned from it and lost their jobs. I understand what the bishop is trying to say, but how do we explain this to the local committee?

Nicholas Anderson

At our St. Nicholas parish in Sydney, we had the same issue with the Greek cultural group holding their pre-Vespers gatherings. After the elders pointed out people missing the service to catch the dances, we moved it to after Liturgy.

Dušan Marković

In our parish near Novi Sad, we had a similar problem with the fair on Christmas Day evening, just as the festive vigil was going on. People went to dances, so the church was half empty. It's nice that the bishop suggests moving everything to the afternoon after the liturgy, that would help us a lot.

Галина Соколова

This also happened here in the Yaroslavl region - the accordion players started right outside the church, before the people had even left the all-night vigil. Vladyka correctly wrote that the main thing is the service first, and the festivities later. On fasting days, judging by the text, he asks not to have meat feasts and loud music on Wednesday and Friday, so as not to tempt people. What’s it like in Tula now, have you already listened somewhere?

Юлія Гончар

Here in Kharkiv, people are often dragged to the fair during the vespers for the church holiday. Vladyka correctly writes that first you need to let people stand on duty, and only then party. As for fasting days, it is good that he asks not to make meat tables, because this is also a problem in our country.

Anca Tudor

In Sâncrăieni there was exactly the same problem, the dance drew people before Vespers and the church remained half empty. Perhaps you can propose to the committee to move the dance after the Liturgy, to the evening, as the Metropolitan also says; that way no one loses their job and they still have fun. Have you tried showing them the circular directly?

Ioana Stan

Yes, it was the same in our village, people left for the hora before Vespers and the church was empty. The Metropolitan's proposal seems good to me, to move the party after the Liturgy, to the evening. Have you spoken to anyone on the committee or are you waiting for others to see the circular?

Stefan Lukić

Here in Montenegro, something similar happened with fairs on St. Peter's Day evening, just when the vigil begins. People would stretch out for theses and music, and there would be ten grandmothers left in the church. It's good that the bishop suggests moving everything to the afternoon of the next day, at least the service would be finished first. Did you manage to change something about yourself after that story?

Corina Rusu

Yes, that's exactly how it happened here too, people would run to church even during Vespers and the church would remain half empty. The Metropolitan's proposal is good, we move everything after the Liturgy, to the evening, so as not to miss the service. I haven't spoken to anyone from the committee yet, I'm waiting for others to read the circular, maybe we can get together to discuss.

Larisa Stoica

Yes, Ion, that's exactly what happens in our neighboring village - people leave the dance and don't make it to Vespers. Maybe you can tell the committee that the Metropolitan is not forbidding the party, he's just moving it after the Liturgy, so we don't miss the main service. Have you already spoken to the parish priest about this?

Petar Marković

Here in the Kragujevac area, we had the same problem with the fairs at the village celebrations, people would argue over theses while the vespers were going on. After such circulars, a couple of priests talked to the committees and they moved the music to the next afternoon, so at least it improved a little. And in your country in Montenegro, did the peasants really adhere to that proposal or did they still make a fuss in the evening?

Ilie Nistor

Yes, Larisa, the same thing happened in our parish last year – people were leaving from the evening service and the church was half empty at Vespers. You also tell the committee that we are not talking about stopping the party, but just putting it after the Liturgy, as the Metropolitan says. Would you be able to talk to the mayor of the neighboring village so that he can also see the circular?

Ioana Stoica

Yes, Ilie, that's exactly what happened to us two years ago, when they set a fixed hour during Vespers and there were only about 15 elders left in the church. I will tell the committee to move everything after the Liturgy, as the Metropolitan says. Did you talk to the mayor of the neighboring village after all?