The grand Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos was celebrated with great reverence at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Smyrna, marking the first time the annual feast was held since the Orthodox Church was granted permission to celebrate it. The services were presided over by Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia, who delivered a vibrant and detailed homily on the significance of the feast. He also highlighted the historic achievement for the local Orthodox community—the acquisition of a church that now serves the multinational flock residing in the modern city of Smyrna.
During the celebration of the Artoklasia, special prayers were offered for the health and strength of the community’s Shepherd, the clergy, and the faithful of the Church of Smyrna.
On Sunday, August 18, Archbishop Ignatios presided over the Hierarchical Co-liturgy at the Metropolitan Church, with the local Shepherd, Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna, concelebrating. In his warm welcome, Metropolitan Bartholomew expressed gratitude to Archbishop Ignatios for the assignment of Fr. Joel Podaropoulos, a former Archdeacon, to serve the needs of the Orthodox faithful in the region. He praised Metropolitan Ignatios for his ecclesiastical vision, emphasizing the importance of unity.
Metropolitan Ignatios, expressing gratitude for the kind words, spoke on the significance of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos and emphasized the deep ties that unite the Metropolises of Demetrias and Smyrna. He highlighted the collaborative spirit between the two Metropolises, underscoring the importance of working together with all available resources to serve the Orthodox Church as a unified body, particularly in these challenging times.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a Trisagion was held in memory of the late Protopresbyter Marinos Georgakopoulos, father of Metropolitan Ignatios, marking the fifteenth anniversary of his passing.
Source: greek.vema.com.au / Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
