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The Feast of the Collection of the Holy Relics of Agios Nektarios in Edessatranslated

September 3, 2026 · 1 min read

The memory of the Repatriation of the Holy Relics of Agios Nektarios of Pentapolis was celebrated with solemnity and solemnity in the celebratory parish church of Edessa. On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, the Solemn Vespers was celebrated by the Reverend Metropolitan of Edessa, Pelli and Almopia, Mr. Ioel, who preached the divine word.

On the day of the feast, Thursday, September 3, 2026, the Orthros and solemn Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Reverend Metropolitan of Edessa, Pelli and Almopia, Mr. Ioel, who in his sermon emphasized the importance of the tribulations and slanders that Saint Nektarios endured as an example and was sanctified.

The Protosygello of the Holy Metropolis and Head of the parish, Archimandrite Maximos Hatzis, Panosiol participated in the Holy Masses. Archimandrite Porphyrios Fragakos, Herald of the Holy Metropolis of Kifissia, Amarousi, Oropou and Marathon, and a multitude of clergy from the area.

Also present were the MP of Pella Mr. D. Stamenitis, the Deputy Governor of Pella Mr. I. Tzamtzis, the Police Director of Pella Mr. D. Georgitsas and other representatives of the local authorities and agencies. Crowds of believers flocked…

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Thomas Hall

I always find it interesting how St. Nectarios turned all those slanders and troubles into the very thing that made him a saint. The bishop’s sermon on Thursday nailed that point. Nice to see the whole town turn out, from the mayor’s office right down to regular folks like us.

Тетяна Литвин

Yes, Bishop Ioil well noticed how exactly slander and sorrow sanctified Saint Nektarios. Here in Kharkiv, many people also respect him precisely because he did not get angry, but prayed. It is good that so many people have gathered in Edessa, from the authorities to ordinary parishioners.

Христина Панченко

Yes, Tatiana, Bishop Ioil really aptly said about those slanders and sorrows. Our parish also often mentions how St. Nektarios did not get angry, but simply prayed and took care of his little kindergarten even in times of trouble. And were you at his relics in Kharkiv when they were brought?

Тетяна Марченко

Yes, Christina, Bishop Ioil well noticed how Saint Nektarius did not become angry precisely because of those slanders. Just last year, one of our sisters told us that he worked in his kindergarten and helped the sick, even though he was sick himself. And do you often pray to him when there are some misunderstandings in the family?

Ірина Бойко

Yes, Christina, Bishop Ioil really explained well how those slanders helped Saint Nectarius to be cleansed. In our parish, people also often remember how he calmly watered his garden and did not respond with evil. Have you tried to read his akathist when there is some kind of injustice at work?

Людмила Савченко

Yes, Tatiana, it was precisely because of those slanders that he became an example for many. I have a small icon of St. Nektarios, which my son brought from the USA, on a shelf at home. And do you often pray to him in Kharkiv specifically for patience or more for healing?

James Bennett

Yeah, that part about the slanders really stuck with me too. The bishop put it well — those troubles weren't just something he endured, they became the path that shaped him. Our little church group back in Ottawa read some of his letters last month; it's one thing to hear it in a sermon, another to see how he actually lived it day to day.

Daniel Miller

The bit about the slanders turning into his path to holiness hit me the same way. We had a couple of his letters in our men's group here in Ottawa last winter; reading how he kept writing kind replies while the rumors flew around really drove it home. Did your group come across the one where he talks about the garden he kept tending even during the worst of it?

Sarah Taylor

Yeah, those letters really show how patient he stayed even when everything was stacked against him. Our parish book club went through a few last spring and the one where he quietly asks for prayers for his accusers instead of defending himself hit different. Did your group in Ottawa notice how he kept teaching and writing through all that mess?