In the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and conducted the Great Blessing of the Waters at the Holy Metropolitan Church of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple in Rethymno on the morning of Saturday, January 6, 2024, marking the momentous occasion of the Epiphany.
Prior to concluding the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Prodromos extended a warm welcome to the President of the Hellenic Republic, acknowledging her inaugural visit to Rethymno on the island of Crete. He shared a heartfelt wish for all present to embrace the guiding light of Christ amidst the encroaching darkness, emphasizing the illuminating influence of Christ’s Light on our decisions and actions.
Moreover, the Metropolitan stressed the significance of the year 2024 for the Holy Metropolis of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, commemorating 200 years since the martyrdom of the Holy Four New Martyrs, George, Angelis, Manuel, and Nicholas, who became martyrs in Rethymno in 1824. He then invited the President of the Hellenic Republic to attend the concluding events scheduled later this year and presented her with the Holy Icon of the Holy Four New Martyrs as a token of appreciation.
Following the Divine Liturgy and the sacred ritual of the Great Blessing of the Waters, a procession took place toward the Venetian Port of the city of Rethymno. There, amidst the presence of hundreds of devoted believers, the ceremony of diving for the Cross was conducted, culminating this auspicious occasion.
Article translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
