Following the invitation of the Holy Cell of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Karyes of Mount Athos, which belongs to the Holy Monastery of Simonos Petra, the Elder Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi went to Mount Athos to participate in the celebration of the Feast of the Annunciation.
On Friday, April 5, 2024, the Metropolitan, accompanied by the Protosyncellos of the Ecumenical Throne, Father Georgios Ladoukakis, the Deacon Father Daniel Zafeiris, and the Chief Protodeacon of the Holy and Great Church of Christ, Father Georgios Koukoutsidis, entered Mount Athos, where they were received by the Elder of the Cell of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Karyes of Mount Athos, Archimandrite Father Prodromos, and his entourage. The Metropolitan of Derkoi then visited the Holy Administration of Mount Athos where he was warmly received by Father Stefanos Chilandarinos and Father Nikodimos Agiopavlitos. Then he venerated the Holy and Miraculous Icon of the Virgin Mary “Axion Esti”.
In the afternoon of Friday, he went to the Holy Monastery of Simonos Petra, where he presided over the Third Stasis of Salutations to the Most Holy Theotokos. There he talked with the members of the Brotherhood of the Holy Monastery about matters concerning Mount Athos.
The next day, he visited the Holy Monasteries of Stavronikita and Koutloumousiou, where he performed a Trisagion in memory of the late Abbot Christodoulos, and the Holy Cell of St. Nicholas Bourazeri.
In the afternoon of Saturday, April 6, at about 8:00 p.m., the Feast of the Annunciation began at the namesake Holy Cell in Karyes.
The Small and Great Vespers, the Orthros, the Veneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy were celebrated, presided over by Elder Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi, with the participation of many priests and deacons. The services ended without interruption at 7:00 a.m. After the Divine Liturgy, the Monastery Luncheon was held, during which the Metropolitan delivered the festive Patriarchal sermon and conveyed the wishes and blessings of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. In the afternoon of the same day, the Vespers of the Annunciation and the “Founder’s Memorial Service” of the Holy Cell were held.
On the morning of Monday, April 8, the Metropolitan, accompanied by his entourage visited the Holy Monastery of Dionysiou on Mount Athos, where they were warmly received by the Abbot of the Monastery, Father Peter, and his entourage. There they participated in the Great Canon of Supplication. The next day, Tuesday, April 9, they participated in the Divine Liturgy of the Hours and the Pre-sanctified Divine Liturgy. After these services, the Metropolitan and his entourage departed for Constantinople.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
