Yesterday morning, on Tuesday, December 27, Elder Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi presided over the Divine Liturgy to commemorate St. Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen.
The Divine Liturgy was co-celebrated by Metropolitan Anthimos of Alexandroupolis, who also performed the ordination of Fr. Panagiotis Kapareliotis as a Deacon. This newly ordained Deacon is poised to serve within the Holy Metropolis of Alexandroupolis.
Following the end of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Anthimos of Alexandroupolis, in his homily, commemorated the 50th anniversary of Elder Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi’s ordination (December 30, 1973 – December 30, 2023). He presented the Elder Metropolitan with an epigonation, adorned with an embroidered image of the Virgin Mary. He praised the distinguished ministry of Elder Metropolitan Apostolos within the Mother Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Holy Theological School of Chalki, and the Holy Metropolis of Derkoi. Metropolitan Anthimos also highlighted his impactful visits to various parts of the world, including Greece, Cyprus, and Italy.
Additionally, Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi reflected on the third anniversary of Fr. Daniel Zafeiris’s ordination.
The sacred celebration was graced by the presence of Alexandroupolis Mayor Ioannis Zamboukis, Theophanis Isaakidis (President of the Cappadocian Association in Greece), as well as relatives of the newly ordained Deacon.
The commemorations continued with a reception held in the Community Hall of Saint Stefanos, followed by a heartfelt luncheon graciously hosted by Elder Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi.
Article translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
