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Trikkis Chrysostomos requests that the festivals be moved after the Divine Liturgytranslated

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 (8) 🌐 Show original

Elizabeth Hall

Remember how St. Nicholas' parish in London used to hold the feast the evening before the service? Last year, I missed the evening service because of it—glad they're moving it to after now.

Xenia Walker

That’s exactly the kind of clash Metropolitan Chrysostomos is talking about. We had the same problem here in Denver a few years back with our parish festival starting right as Vespers began; half the choir was still setting up the food tables. Moving everything to after the Liturgy made a real difference. Did they announce the new schedule in the bulletin or just word of mouth?

Mihai Barbu

In our parish in Cluj, at the patron saint of St. Dumitru, for years the music and the meals started at vespers. The people dispersed, the choir remained with half voices and the next day few people came to the Liturgy. Since we moved everything to the afternoon, after the Holy Liturgy, it's completely different - people sit until the end and eat quietly. It's good that this Metropolitan wrote clearly, maybe listen to some of us.

Michael Clark

Our parish here in Manchester does the same thing now – everything after the Liturgy on the actual feast day. Used to be that the barbecue started during Vespers and half the lads from the football team would miss it. Much better this way, no one’s rushing off.

Іван Коваль

Here in Lviv, on a church holiday, the fair used to start even during vespers - half the people ran away, and few people came to the Liturgy. After everything has been moved to the afternoon, we calmly perform the service, and then we go to the tables. It is good that Bishop Chrysostom directly writes about this.

Ruth Wilson

Yeah, that Denver story sounds familiar — we had the same scramble at our Greek festival here in Portland a couple summers ago, with half the kitchen crew missing the Paraklesis. Putting the dancing and food after Liturgy cleared it right up. Did the choir end up sticking around longer once things moved?

Radu Nistor

Here in Craiova, at the shrine of St. Dumitru in Mahala, it was the same for years in a row: from vespers, the orchestra started and the place was filled with smoke from mitites. After I moved everything after the Liturgy, people stayed until the end and came to church the next day even more. It's good that the Metropolitan wrote this, maybe it will help Cluj to stop losing so many jobs.

Vasile Constantinescu

Here in Constanța, at the patron saint of St. Andrew, many years ago we had the same problem: from vespers the music started and people went to the tables. Since our priest insisted that we move everything after the Liturgy, it's as if the grilled fish has a different taste when you come home from church with a peaceful heart. Do you think that the fact that he spoke directly with the mayor's office or only with the organizers helped in Cluj?