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Metropolitan of Chalkidos for the Prophet Elias: An example of faith, courage and trust in Godtranslated

July 19, 2026 · 1 min read

With particular splendor, deep rapture and the mass participation of hundreds of believers, the Solemn High Priestly Vespers took place and the procession of the historic and ephestic Holy Icon of the Prophet Elias to the celebratory Holy Church of the same name in Pylaia, Thessaloniki.

The Solemn High Priestly Vespers was officiated by the Metropolitan of Chalkidos, Mr. Chrysostomos, who preached the divine word. The Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, Mr. Philotheos, and the Metropolitan of Velestino, Mr. Damaskinos, were also present in prayer.

The archpriests were flanked by the priests of the parish, Archimandrite Spyridon Karataidis, Archimandrite Theonas Pliantis, Protopresbyter Thomas Gallidis, Elder Dimitrios Iosifides, as well as a number of clergy and deacons from the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki and neighboring metropolises.

The "present" at the celebrations were given by the mayor of Pylaia - Hortiatis, Mr. Ignatios Kaitezidis, the Deputy Minister of the Interior (Macedonia - Thrace) Mr. Konstantinos Giulekas, the MP Mr. Theodoros Karaoglou, the Deputy Governor of ME Thessaloniki, Mr. Thanos Begas Development Organization of the Region of Central Macedonia, representatives of clubs,...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (15) 🌐 Show original

Dhimitër Thanasi

Here in Elbasan, we also celebrated Prophet Eli with a small litany after last night. I liked that Metropolitan Chrysostomos spoke about his faith and courage - exactly what we need today. Thanks for reminding us and for the beautiful icon image.

Magdalena Zielińska

Last night in our parish there was an evening with the icon of St. Elijah, although without so many bishops. I like that Metropolitan Chrysostom talked about courage and trust in God - this is what we lack in everyday life. Thank you for the photo of the icon, it looks beautiful.

Gjergj Dhima

Yes, we also celebrated it in Tirana with a small litany after last night, but without many people like in Pylaja. I liked that Metropolitan Chrysostomos emphasized the faith and courage of the Prophet Eli - we really need it in these days. The icon you posted looks very old and respected, do you have it in your church in Elbasan?

Barbara Wiśniewska

Yesterday in Warsaw we also celebrated the Prophet Elijah, but more modestly, without bishops and without litanies in the streets. I agree with you that this courage and trust in God is what is most missing in ordinary days - I remind myself of this when I bake bread and see how the dough has to "trust" the yeast. Your icon must have been beautiful too.

Dorota Wiśniewska

In Lublin, there was also an evening litany with an icon, but without crowds, only our choir members and a few families with children. It's nice that Chrysostom talked about courage - I feel it most when I go to the mountains alone and the weather suddenly turns bad. What did this icon look like for you, older or newer?

Ewa Kaczmarek

In my place in Krakow, yesterday in the choir we also sang at the evening service with the icon of Elijah, without bishops and without processions, but with our cat purring under the bench. I also think that this courage and trust in God is a daily struggle, especially when you come down from the mountains in the rain and suddenly everything seems too difficult. And what did your icon look like, older and so dark than incense?

Mateusz Nowak

Here in Hajnówka, the icon is also very dark, almost black due to years of incense, but that is why it seems closer. Your cat purring under the bench is just a real detail from life - in my garden only pigeons make noise. Do you also celebrate Elijah on August 2 in Krakow, or do you stick to the Julian calendar?

Michał Kaczmarek

In Gdańsk, the icon of Elijah is also dark with incense, but this simplicity attracts attention. My cat only purrs under the bench at home, I don't let him in the church 😉 And in our country we follow the Gregorian calendar, so August 2. What does it look like where you live in Hajnówka?

Marek Szymański

In Lublin, the icon of Elijah is also dark with incense, but that is why it seems so homely. However, the cat stays at home, because in church it would immediately start running on the pews. And in your Hajnówka you stick to the Julian language, so you have Eliasz on July 20?

Athina Papa

Yes, our icon of Prophet Eli in the church of Saint Mary in Elbasan is just as old and revered, but we only take it out on his feast day. I liked that you also emphasized the faith and courage we need today - I listened to the sermon of Metropolitan Chrysostomos online. How many people were there in your little litany in Tirana?

Spiro Kristo

Yes, we also really liked Metropolitan Chrysostom's sermon about the faith and courage of Prophet Eli, especially when he spoke about faith in difficult times. In Berat, we have our old icon of St. Elias in the church of St. Mary, but we only take it out once a year after the liturgy. How many people were there in that little litany in Tirana?

Tomasz Nowak

Here in Gdańsk, the icon of Elijah is also dark and a little blackened, which makes it look like a lot of praying was done to it. The cat in my garden sometimes just looks at the birds, but I don't take it to church because it would cause a fuss. As for the calendar, in our Greek parishes we stick to the New Julian calendar, so we celebrate Elijah on July 20, just like you do in Hajnówka.

Andrea Prifti

Yes, our icon in the church of Saint Mary in Elbasan is really ancient, but we only take it out once a year after the liturgy. I liked that Metropolitan Chrysostomos talked about the courage of the Prophet Eli in difficult times - it makes us think about our daily lives. How many people were you in the little litany in Tirana?

Yes, in Krakow it was also modest, only the choir sang after the service and someone brought Elijah's honey cake. I really like your example with yeast in bread - simple and true. What did you think of this icon in Warsaw? Was it old or new?

In my garden, the cat also likes to watch birds, but as soon as it sees pigeons on the roof of the church, it knows to stay at home. The icon in Warsaw is not so blackened, but it has clear traces of votive offerings that people have been leaving for years. And in your country in Gdańsk, you stick to New Julian - do you celebrate Elijah together with Hajnówka, or do you have any differences in the service?