The Church of St. Paisius the Athonite in Hierapetra celebrated its patronal feast.translated

On the Third Sunday of Matthew (the Paralytic), July 12, 2026—the feast day commemorating St. Paisius the Athonite—Most Reverend Metropolitan Cyril of Hierapetra and Sitia presided at the Matins service and subsequently celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the feast day chapel of St. Paisius, within the Holy Cathedral of St. Photini in Hierapetra. During the feast, a fragment of the Holy Relic of St. Arsenius the Cappadocian was placed for the veneration and blessing of the faithful. Following the Most Reverend Metropolitan Cyril’s invitation, the Pan-Orthodox Archimandrite Augustine Avoxenides, Archpriest and Archepiscopal Delegate of the Holy Metropolis of Florina, Prespa, and Edessa, delivered a timely homily. In his simple, profound, and theologically rich discourse, he reflected on holiness as the living application of the Gospel, highlighting the key characteristics of the revered modern, people-loving saint, St. Paisius. As he emphasized, humility is the defining trait of all saints, while the great Elder of our Church, St. Paisius, was further distinguished by his prophetic and discerning gifts, as well as his joy in martyrdom, bodily infirmities, and...