THE FESTIVAL OF THE MOTHER IN THE HOLY CATHEDRAL OF DERKStranslated

With special emotion and spiritual joy, the International Mother's Day was celebrated in the Holy Metropolis of Derko on Samaritis Sunday, May 10, 2026, in the Holy Church of Agios Stefanos of the homonymous Community in Gesilkioi.

During the Divine Liturgy, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Geron Derkos, Mr. Apostolos, referred to the evangelical event of Christ's encounter with the Samaritan woman, emphasizing that the Lord, with love and gentleness, did not criticize her, but admonished her and led her to the truth and to spiritual rebirth. Through this speech, he highlighted the sacred role of the mother, who with patience, sacrifice and love nurtures and guides her children, just as Christ guided the Samaritan woman to the "water of life", saying: "As Christ gives the "water of life", so every mother gives life. Not only in the birth, but also in the daily offering, the sacrifice, the prayer, the silence which becomes love.

The mother is the world's first hug and man's first consolation. Because, just as the Lord in wisdom and love approaches the Samaritan woman, not to impose but to instruct, guide and renew her, so the mother becomes...