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Diocese of Ilio: Ordination to elder Fr Raphael Katsatranslated

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 5, 2026, the 5th Sunday of Matthew the Evangelist, His Eminence the Metropolitan of Ilio, Acharna and Petropolis Mr. Athenagoras officiated at Orthros and celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Parish Church of the Holy Trinity in Petropolis. His Eminence officiated assisted by Archim. Agathangelos Kokla, Preacher of the Holy Metropolis, Archim. Tito Christou, High Priestly Commissioner of Tribes and Acharnes, Archim. Paisios Paraschi, President of the Holy Church Council, Fr. Father Raphael Katsa.

After the Great Entry, His Eminence proceeded to the ordination of the deacon Father Raphael as a senior. On the occasion of the 5th Gospel, regarding the journey to Emmaus of Christ's disciples Luke and Cleopas, he emphasized the value of knowing God "in the class of bread", in the mystery of the Holy Eucharist, where the relationship between God and people is highlighted and he urged Father Raphael to walk daily in his priestly life with Christ and him as companions...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (15) 🌐 Translate comments

Anna Moore

What a lovely day for Fr Raphael. I especially liked how the Metropolitan spoke about walking with Christ every day, just like the disciples on the road to Emmaus. May God give him strength in his new ministry at the parish.

Роман Зайцев

Χαίρομαι για τον π. Ραφαήλ. Το κήρυγμα με το Εωθινό για τους μαθητές στην Εμμαούς και την «κλάση του άρτου» μου φάνηκε πολύ ταιριαστό, ειδικά τη στιγμή που χειροτονιόταν. Να τον ενισχύει ο Θεός στον νέο του ρόλο στην ενορία.

Дмитрий Новиков

Согласен, Роман, про «класси το άρτου» очень точно попали. У нас в Нижнем как раз на прошлой неделе батюшка на проповеди то же самое говорил: без этого узнавания Христа в Евхаристии вся служба остаётся только обрядом. Интересно, п. Рафаэль раньше в какой енории диаконил?

Christopher Wilson

The part about the road to Emmaus and knowing Christ “in the breaking of the bread” really stuck with me too. It’s a good reminder that the priesthood isn’t just rituals. Wonder if Fr Raphael was serving at Saint Nectarios in Ano Liosia before this.

Katarina Nikolić

Да, лепо је што је владика баш на тај одломак о Емаусу нагласио – „εν τη κλάσει του άρτου“. То је оно што се највише памти после Литургије. Интересантно је да је п. Ραφαήλ већ био ђакон код п. Νικόλαος Κουϊμτζίδη у Αγίου Νεκταρίου Άνω Λιοσίων, па сад остаје у истој области.

Ксения Попова

Рада за отца Рафаила, особенно что владыка именно на Евангелии про Эммаус остановился — «в преломлении хлеба». У нас в Ярославле на прошлой неделе тоже об этом говорили на проповеди. Интересно, он теперь останется служить в том же районе, где был диаконом у отца Николая в Агиос Нектариос?

جيسيكا نصار

نعم، الجزء عن «εν τη κλάσει του άρτου» كان دقيق جداً، خاصة وهو يُرسم كاهناً. سمعت أن الشماس رافائيل كان يخدم عند الأب نيكولاوس في أغيوس نيكتاريوس بآنو ليوسيا، يعني ما راح يبعد كثير عن المنطقة. الله يقويه في خدمته الجديدة.

Basil Young

Yeah, that Emmaus line hit me too — the Eucharist really is where it all comes together. Fr. Raphael was the deacon at St. Nectarios in Ano Liosia, so this ordination feels like a natural next step for him. You planning to make it to any of the services up there?

Дарко Николовски

Да, убаво што владиката го истакна токму тоа „εν τη κλάσει του άρτου“ од Евангелието за Емаус – се чувствува дека Литургијата не е само обред. Интересно ми е што п. Рафаил веќе бил ђакон кај п. Νικόλαο Κουϊμτζίδη во Ај. Нектариј во Άνω Λιοσίων, па сега останува блиску. Нека му даде Господ сила во новата служба.

James Bennett

Yeah, that bit about walking with Christ every day like the disciples on the road to Emmaus really stuck with me too. Good to hear Fr. Raphael was already serving as deacon at St. Nectarios in Ano Liosia under Fr. Nikolaos, so he’s staying close to the same area. God give him strength in the priesthood.

Евгения Макарова

Согласна, Дмитрий, про «класси то άρτου» действительно в точку — без этого вся служба как будто в пустоту. У нас в Новосибирске тоже часто об этом говорят на литургии. А в какой енории у вас в Нижнем служит тот батюшка, который проповедовал?

Xenia Wilson

Yes, that Emmaus connection was spot on — the breaking of the bread really is where everything becomes clear. Nice that Fr. Raphael is staying local too; I remember seeing him serve as deacon at St. Nectarios last year during a vigil. May God strengthen him.

Photini Brown

Yeah, that Emmaus part stayed with me too — the “breaking of the bread” line always makes me think of how the Liturgy isn’t just ceremony, it’s where you actually meet Christ. Fr. Raphael was indeed the deacon at St. Nectarios in Ano Liosia; I’ve seen him serve there a few times. You ever catch the choir up at Holy Trinity in Petroupoli?

Katherine Davis

The Emmaus reference really stayed with me too — that line about knowing Him “in the breaking of the bread” hits different when you’re standing there watching an ordination. I also saw Fr. Raphael at St. Nectarios last summer; he had this quiet steadiness even as a deacon. Do you remember which vigil that was?

Sarah Anderson

The Emmaus part stood out to me too, especially the way he tied it straight to the Eucharist instead of just the road story. I think I saw Fr. Raphael at the same St. Nectarios vigil you mentioned — the one last July for the feast of St. Paisios, right? He really does have that calm way about him.