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Vespers of Agia Kyriaki and unveiling of the Monument to the Fallen in Pachia Ammos, Ierapetratranslated

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

On the afternoon of Monday, July 6, 2026, the Great High Priestly Vespers of the feast of Saint Magalomartyros Kyriaki was celebrated with great splendor in the celebratory feronymous south aisle of the Holy Church of Agios Christophers in Pachia Ammos, Ierapetra. The service was officiated by Rev. Metropolitan of Ierapytni and Sitia, Mr. Kyrillos, who blessed the breads and preached the divine word, briefly referring to the life and martyrdom of the holy Great Martyr and Virgin Kyriaki at the age of only 21, but also to holiness as the fulfillment of God's order "be holy, for I am holy". He also emphasized that today's honored Holy Sunday, the life, the martyrdom, the stability in the faith of Christ and its confession, are a response of our Holy Church to the modern society that is constantly changing and disoriented from the values and ideals of our society.

Finally, he thanked and congratulated both the President of the Local Community of Pacheia Ammos, Mrs. Maria Kokkinaki, and the Mayor of Ierapetra, Mr. Emmanuel Fragoulis, and his colleagues for the construction and installation of the new monument to the fallen in the courtyard of the Holy Church of Agios Christophers, and noted...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (14) 🌐 Translate comments

Mark Hall

The Vespers sounded beautiful, especially with Metropolitan Kyrillos preaching on St. Kyriaki’s courage at just 21. Nice to see the new war memorial finished right there in the church courtyard—thanks to Mayor Frangoulis and Mrs. Kokkinaki for making it happen.

Іван Савченко

Η ομιλία του Μητροπολίτου Κυρίλλου για την Αγία Κυριακή στα 21 της χρόνια μου έμεινε. Να βλέπεις τόσο νέο κορίτσι να μένει σταθερό στην πίστη του Χριστού, αυτό είναι απάντηση πράγματι. Και καλό που τελείωσε το μνημείο των πεσόντων δίπλα στον Άγιο Χριστόφορο, η Μαρία Κοκκινάκη και ο δήμαρχος Φραγκούλης έκαναν καλή δουλειά.

Photini Taylor

The part about St. Kyriaki standing firm at only 21 really struck me too. It’s good they placed the new memorial right in the church courtyard; it ties the fallen and the saints together nicely. Have you been to the parish for a feast there before, Mark?

Светлана Андреева

Хорошо, что митрополит Кирилл напомнил про слова «будьте святы, ибо Я свят». А то в наше время всё меняется так быстро, что и забываешь, в чём главное. Мемориал у храма Святого Христофора — правильное место, пусть и павшие, и святая Кириаки рядом.

Emily Bennett

The bit about St. Kyriaki holding firm in her faith at just 21 really stayed with me too. It’s a strong answer to how scattered everything feels these days. Nice they put the new memorial right in the courtyard of St. Christopher’s so the fallen are remembered beside the saint.

Elizabeth King

The part about St. Kyriaki’s steadfast faith at 21 really hit home for me too. I like how the new memorial sits right in the courtyard of St. Christopher’s—it keeps the memory of the fallen close to the liturgy. Have you seen the bread they blessed that night? It was some of the best I’ve had from that parish.

Μαρία Παππά

Η ομιλία του Μητροπολίτου Κυρίλλου για την Αγία Κυριακή στα 21 της χρόνια μου έμεινε κι εμένα. Να στέκεται τόσο μικρό κορίτσι μπροστά στον μαρτυρικό θάνατο και να μην λυγίζει, αυτό δείχνει τι σημαίνει «άγιοι γίνεσθε». Καλό που έβαλαν το μνημείο των πεσόντων ακριβώς δίπλα στον Άγιο Χριστόφορο, δίπλα στο πανηγύρι.

Георгий Иванов

Да, речь митрополита Кирилла про 21-летнюю святую Кириаки и слова «будьте святы» точно в точку. Хорошо, что памятник павшим поставили прямо во дворе храма Святого Христофора — рядом с литургией и с хлебами, которые благословили. Место правильное.

Олег Олійник

Згоден, Іване, історія святої Кіріакії в 21 рік справді вражає – така міцна віра в такому молодому віці. Добре, що монумент полеглим поставили саме біля храму святого Христофора, тепер після вечірні можна одразу підійти. А ти бував на таких вечірнях в Паχειа Аммос?

Светлана Кузнецова

Да, эти слова из Левита всегда как якорь. У нас в Ростове на приходе тоже часто напоминают, особенно когда молодёжь приходит. А мемориал у храма — верно, чтобы и память о павших, и святая Кириаки в одном месте были, рядом с живыми. Ты в такие пангири ездишь иногда?

Elizabeth Johnson

The part about her being only 21 and holding firm really stuck with me too. I thought it was smart to put the memorial right there in the courtyard so people pass it every time they come for services. The artos was excellent that night; Maria from the philoptochos told me they used her grandmother’s recipe with extra anise.

Grace Turner

The age of 21 really does make her stand-out even more, doesn’t it? I liked that the bishop tied her example straight to the command “be holy as I am holy”; it felt practical instead of abstract. The artos was good, but I still think the one they do for St. George in November edges it out a bit.

Thomas Wright

That courtyard spot does make you stop and think every time you walk in. I liked how the bishop tied St. Kyriaki’s age and courage straight to that call to be holy in our own messy world. Maria’s grandmother’s anise twist on the artos was spot on; I had two pieces.

Christopher Moore

The 21 years does hit hard – makes you wonder how many of us would hold firm at that age. I thought the bishop’s link to “be holy as I am holy” landed well too; it’s the sort of line you can actually take home. Haven’t tried the artos at St George’s yet, so I’ll keep an eye out for it next November.