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First celebration of the miracle of the Archangel Michael in Chonai at the Holy Church of the Holy Trinity, Merbakas, Argolistranslated

September 6, 2026 · 1 min read

The first celebratory Vespers on the feast of the miracle of the Archangel Michael in Chonai was celebrated on Saturday, September 5, 2026, in the parish Church of the Holy Trinity of Merbakas, with special reverence and rejoicing. Vespers was celebrated with Artoklasia and Divine Sermon, while the establishment of the feast in the Holy Church is connected with the kind donation of a large portable icon of the Archangel Michael by a donor, who wishes to remain anonymous. With the blessing of the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Argolis, Mr. Nektarios, the Ecclesiastical Council decided to honor the Archangel Michael on this particular holiday from now on.

After Vespers, the vicar of the Holy Church and president of the Ecclesiastical Council expressed his warm thanks to the donor of the icon, as well as to the priests and believers who honored the memory of Archangel Michael with their presence and participated in this first festive meeting.

On the day of the holiday, Orthros will be celebrated and then the Solemn Divine Liturgy.

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💬 Comments (10) 🌐 Show original

Xenia Wilson

That's a lovely way to start honouring the Archangel with a proper feast. The anonymous donor's big icon must look wonderful in the church at Merbaka. I'll remember to read about the miracle at Chonae again before the Divine Liturgy.

Mateusz Nowak

It's good that they decided to celebrate this holiday regularly from then on. This large icon from an anonymous donor will certainly attract attention during services. I wonder what it looks like compared to the one we have in Hajnówka.

Sophia Bennett

The anonymous donor's icon sounds like it really sets the tone for the new feast. Nice that the priest thanked everyone right after the Vespers with the artoklasia. I'll have to look up the Chonae miracle story again before the Liturgy on the 6th, like Xenia said.

Helena Schmidt

It's nice that they now want to hold the celebration regularly. The big icon of the anonymous donor really needs to have a place where it can be clearly seen. I will also revisit the story of the miracle in Chonai before the liturgy on the 6th.

Anna Nowak

It's good that they introduced it, especially after such a specific donation. Here in Hajnówka, this icon of the Archangel is quite large and dark, with a clear sword, I wonder whether the one from Merbak is similar in style or rather newer. Do you have a photo of yours?

It's good that someone gave such a large icon and immediately turned it into a celebration. Here in Hajnówka, this old icon of the Archangel is really dark and heavy in expression, with a sword that immediately catches the eye. Ours is probably an older style, and the one from Merbak is probably newer - I don't have a photo, but I'd love to see what it looks like.

Mark Parker

The icon really does feel like the right way to start honoring the Chonae miracle—something solid and lasting instead of just words. I had to refresh my own memory on the story too; that river suddenly changing course always sticks with me. Did you catch the artoklasia after Vespers? The bread was still warm when they handed it out.

Maria Zielińska

You're right, Mateusz, in Białystok we also have such an old, dark icon of Michael with a large sword - it's chilling to look at. The one from Merbak is probably brighter and newer, since it was just given as a gift. How do you celebrate this September date in Hajnówka? Do you have a service or do they just remember the icon?

Tomasz Nowak

It's good that the donation immediately set the whole event in motion. In Gdańsk, there is also a large icon of the Archangel, but I prefer the newer, brighter ones, because in the garden next to the chapel you can see the details better. And in your Hajnówka, does this sword really dominate the painting so much?

Dorota Wiśniewska

I am glad that this holiday has become a permanent part of their parish calendar. Here in Lublin, the icon of the Archangel is rather bright and has such a calm expression, without a large sword in the foreground. And what does yours from Hajnówka look like, Mateusz?