With the canonical permission and blessing of Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece, Bishop Isidoros of Andida celebrated his first hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the historic Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Plaka.
The service was marked by deep emotion, as it was the first Divine Liturgy celebrated by the newly ordained bishop—and it took place in the very church where he grew up spiritually and served successively as Deacon, Presbyter, and Rector.
Despite the intense summer heat, the church was filled with parishioners, friends, and faithful who gathered to congratulate the bishop and participate in the Eucharistic celebration. Nearly the entire congregation approached Holy Communion. Among those in attendance were Athens Deputy Regional Governor Giorgos Vlachos, the family of the late professor of ancient Greek philosophy Pavlos Kalligas—whose memorial service was also celebrated—as well as university professors and members of the Corfiot associations.
In his homily, Bishop Isidoros expressed his lifelong gratitude to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for his episcopal ordination and for the honor of serving as an Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch. He also thanked Archbishop Ieronymos, from whom he received the first two degrees of the priesthood.
Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, the bishop remarked that “today, rather than words, it is our emotions that speak. When they are genuine and unite people as persons, emotions radiate the light of the Logos that springs from the depths of the heart. The joy, emotion, and blessing of this first Divine Liturgy constitute the most eloquent sermon.”
He shared this “light beyond words” with what he described as his two families: his biological family—beginning with his mother, relatives, and friends—and his spiritual family, formed through the enduring bonds of parish life.
Drawing a profound theological parallel, Bishop Isidoros recalled that the Fourth Ecumenical Council proclaimed the two natures of Christ to be united “without confusion, without change, without division, and without separation” in His one Person. In the same way, he said, his biological and spiritual families were united during the consecration of the Holy Gifts in a single heartfelt “Amen,” expressing the unity proclaimed by the Ecumenical Councils, “that they all may be one.”
Before the dismissal, Bishop Isidoros warmly thanked the parishioners and his friends for their presence and love. He also expressed his appreciation to Fr. Konstantinos Lagos, his fellow priest for the past three years and the new rector of the parish, for their exemplary cooperation.
Finally, he thanked the church staff, the members of the parish councils, choir director Dionysios Vythoulkas, and the members of the Corfiot Traditional Choir, who interrupted their summer holidays to lead the chanting during the service, offering the congregation a particularly uplifting and memorable spiritual experience.
