The Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos presided over the Service of the Rejoicings to the Theotokos (Chairetismoi ) on the first Friday of Great Lent at the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Feriköy, in Constantinople.
Moreover, he addressed the faithful and said, “Nowadays, humans try to find peace in their soul but they cannot make it. There are wars, disorder, and disputes around us because we did not let Christ live in us, just like Holy Mary did and let Him enter her womb. If we act like the Virgin Mary, we will find true peace, joy and happiness. As a result, thanks to genuine joy, that is, the presence of God in us, we will be able to feel fulfilled in our lives and to renounce any material possessions. The Virgin Mary consented to God’s will not only for her own salvation but for the salvation of the whole world. She was crying when she saw her Son on the Cross. Even though she knew that this would happen one day, she consented to His will.”