A sea of believers welcomed Panagia Vulkaniotissa in Messinatranslated

With reverence and the participation of hundreds of believers, the city of Messina today welcomed the Holy and Miraculous Icon of Panagia Vulkaniotissa, from the Holy Monastery of the same name on Mount Ithomi. The Holy Icon is transported every year to Messina in memory of a miracle performed by the Most Holy Theotokos at the beginning of the 19th century, that of saving the wider region from a deadly disease.

The reception and the litany were presided over by the Most Reverend Metropolitans of Carthage and North Africa Mr. Meletios, Mr. Theoklitos of Stagon and Meteora and Mr. Chrysostomos of Messinia.

The Holy Icon in litanic procession went through the central streets of the city, which were paved with myrtles and flowers, ending up at the Metochian Holy Church of Zoodochos Pigis, where it was deposited for an eight-day pilgrimage.

Addressing the faithful, the Metropolitan of Messinia referred to the grace and protection of the Virgin Mary to the human race, stressing that she is the support and hope of every believer.

During the litany of the holy Icon, an unarmed section of soldiers of the KEN Kalamata and the philharmonics of the Municipalities of Messina and Kalamata paid tributes.

The Deputy Minister of Protection of...