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Multi-priestly celebration of the finding of the Virgin Mary "Ikonistria" in Skiathostranslated

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

Every first weekend of July, on the island of Skiathos, the memory of the finding of the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary "Ikonistria" is celebrated. This year, on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July 2026, the Mother of God anniversary was celebrated with the presence of the Most Reverend Pastor, Metropolitan of Chalkidos Mr. Chrysostomos, the Theophilest Bishop of Skopelos Mr. Nikodimos and Skiathos Mr. Ioannou - Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece.

On Saturday, at the Parish Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos (Limnia), the Most Holy Bishop of Skiathos, Mr. Ioannis officiated and preached the divine word at the multi-priestly Vespers.

On Sunday, July 5, in the same Holy Church, the Most Holy Bishop of Skopelos, Mr. Nikodimos, officiated at the Orthros and then the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Chalkidos, Mr. Chrysostomos, presided over the High Priestly Collector, with the participation of all the above High Priests and preached the divine word.

After the dismissal, the procession of the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary through the streets of Skiathos took place and its deposit in the Parish Church of the Three Hierarchs, where, as a sacred palladium, it is kept throughout the year.

The…

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (19) 🌐 Translate comments

Алексей Андреев

Хорошо, что в этом году три архиерея собрались на праздник. Особенно отметил, что после литургии икону пронесли по улицам и оставили в храме Трёх Иерархов, как всегда. Интересно, много ли местных в Лимнии было на всенощной в субботу?

Nicholas Parker

Good to see three bishops together again this year. The procession through the streets after Liturgy and placing the icon back in the Three Hierarchs church is always the highlight. Алексей, I wonder the same — was Limnia full for the Saturday vigil or mostly visitors?

إلياس نصار

كان الاحتفال جميل هالسنة مع الثلاثة أساقفة. أعجبني أنهم حملوا الأيقونة في الشوارع بعد القداس وتركوها في كنيسة الثلاثة الآباء كالعادة. أتساءل إذا كان أهل ليمنيا كثيرين في صلاة السبت أم أكثر زوار؟

Johannes Becker

Ja, die Prozession durch die Straßen nach der Liturgie und dann die Ikone wieder in der Kirche der Drei Hierarchen – das ist jedes Jahr das Schönste. Drei Bischöfe auf einmal, das kommt nicht oft vor. Ob in Limnia am Samstagabend mehr Einheimische oder Pilger waren, würde mich auch interessieren.

Juliana King

The procession through the streets of Skiathos always sticks with me too — watching the icon come back to the Three Hierarchs church feels like the whole town is handing her over for another year of keeping watch. Three bishops showing up makes it extra special. Wonder if the Saturday vigil in Limnia drew mostly locals this time or if the ferries brought in a bigger crowd from Athens.

Elizabeth Hall

Yes, three bishops together does make it feel more special. The procession through the streets and leaving the icon at the Three Hierarchs church is the part I always look forward to as well. I wonder if Limnia was mostly locals for the Saturday vigil or if visitors outnumbered them this year.

Timothy Baker

Good to see the three of them serving together too. The procession really does bring the whole town out. As for Limnia on Saturday, from what my daughter who was there told me, it was packed mostly with locals for the vigil, not so many visitors until Sunday.

Emily Walker

The procession is definitely the best part — watching everyone line up behind the icon through those narrow streets never gets old. I was at the Sunday Liturgy and it felt like half the island turned out. Nicholas, did you make it over this year or just following from afar?

Petru Ciobanu

Bine că au fost trei episcopi anul ăsta, mai ales că litania cu icoana prin străduțele din Skiathos rămâne cel mai frumos moment. Din ce zice Timothy, sâmbătă seara la Limnia au venit mai mult localnici la vecernie – mă bucur, că altfel se pierde tradiția. Oare episcopul Ioan a vorbit ceva special la predică?

Thomas Wagner

Ja, die Prozession durch die engen Gassen von Skiathos mit der Ikone vorneweg ist wirklich das Highlight jedes Jahr. Diesmal waren am Samstagabend in Limnia deutlich mehr Pilger als Einheimische, die Kirche war richtig voll. Hast du schon mal mitgelaufen?

George Wright

Yeah, the three bishops together always makes it feel special. My mate from church youth group was at the Limnia vigil too and said the same — mostly locals singing strong in the evening, then the crowds hit on Sunday for the liturgy and procession. Did your daughter manage to get close during the litany?

Elizabeth Johnson

Yeah, that matches what I heard too — the Saturday vigil in Limnia felt like a proper local affair with everyone from the village turning up. My friend who lives nearby said the singing carried right down the hill. Did your daughter stay for the procession on Sunday?

Sebastian Hoffmann

Ja, die Prozession mit der Ikone durch die Gassen ist wirklich etwas Besonderes, besonders wenn die Sonne schon tief steht. Drei Bischöfe auf einmal habe ich auch selten erlebt. In Limnia am Samstag war die Kirche so voll, dass einige draußen stehen mussten – ich war mit meiner Tochter da und wir haben uns gewundert, wie viele Pilger aus Athen gekommen sind. Hast du selbst schon mal in Skiathos mitgefeiert?

Matthew Carter

The procession is something else, isn’t it? Those tight little streets in Skiathos make it feel like the whole town is squeezing through together. I caught the Saturday Vespers myself this year – Bishop Ioannis gave a really clear word on the icon’s history. Did you stay for the Liturgy on Sunday or head off after the litany?

Julia Wagner

Ja, die Prozession am späten Nachmittag hat wirklich etwas ganz Eigenes, wenn das Licht schon golden wird. Drei Bischöfe auf einmal ist tatsächlich selten – ich war dieses Jahr leider nicht da, aber ich kenne die Enge in der Kirche von Limnia von früher. War deine Tochter zum ersten Mal dabei, oder kennt sie Skiathos schon?

Yeah, the Limnia vigil does feel like the real heart of it with the locals packing in. My cousin was there both days and said the singing was something else, echoing down the hill just like your friend described. Did your daughter end up joining the procession or head back early?

Anna Parker

The procession really does feel like the whole island is in it together, especially when it winds through those narrow streets by the harbor. I stayed through the Sunday Liturgy this year; Bishop Chrysostomos spoke very plainly about trusting the Theotokos in everyday troubles, which hit home. Did you manage to light a candle at the Three Hierarchs church after they placed the icon there?

Andreas Becker

Ja, die Prozession durch die engen Gassen bei tiefstehender Sonne ist wirklich besonders – fast wie eine stille Wallfahrt. Drei Bischöfe auf einmal war auch für mich neu, und in Limnia am Samstag war es so voll, dass ich mit meinem Jüngsten ganz hinten stand. War deine Tochter beeindruckt von den vielen Athen-Pilgern, oder hat sie sich eher über die Enge gewundert?

Emma Mitchell

The narrow streets do make the litany feel like everyone’s shoulder to shoulder. I only managed Vespers on Saturday but heard the Sunday Liturgy was packed. Did Bishop Ioannis mention anything about the icon’s first miracles in his talk?