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The Nativity of the Virgin Mary in the homonymous historical Church of the Metropolis of Argyrokastrotranslated

September 8, 2026 · 1 min read

Today, September 8, 2026, our Holy Church celebrated with great joy and praise the Birthday of the Most Holy Theotokos, the one who became the Mother of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and through whom God gave the world the hope and joy of salvation. On this occasion, in the Holy Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village of Ano Episkopi, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated with all solemnity, presided over by the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Argyrokastro, Mr. Nathanael, in the presence of the clergy and a large number of believers.

This church has a special spiritual and historical importance for the Metropolis of Argyrokastro, as for many centuries it was also the seat of the Diocese of Dryinoupolis, from the 6th to the 12th century. It is connected with the ancient history of Christianity in the region, as well as with the influence exerted by the Byzantine Empire on the place, since the Byzantine emperor Alexios Komnenos is mentioned as the founder of the church.

The presence of the Church in this area already from the first centuries of Christianity testifies to the deep roots of the Orthodox faith and the continuity of church life, which through the centuries was transmitted from generation to generation.

THE…

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency  ·  Read the full story →
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გელა გელაშვილი
Good that they remembered Alexios Komnenos as the founder. The church in Ano Episkopi is one of the oldest I have visited, when I went with my wife three years ago. The Liturgy with Metropolitan Nathanael must have been beautiful.
A
Alexander Miller
The part about Alexios Komnenos as founder caught my eye too. That 6th-to-12th-century history as the seat of the Dryinopolis bishopric makes the place feel solid, like it really has carried the faith through centuries. Nice to hear the Liturgy with Metropolitan Nathaniel drew such a crowd.
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