Metropolitan Ioannis of Thermopylae hinted at the Turkish provocation in the Aegean. “Today, when Turks are looking for an opportunity to torment us, the sacred figures who martyred under the Turkish yoke come to our mind.
Our Church has highlighted some personalities and raised them up to the step of holiness for us to gain courage and strength.”
Metropolitan Ioannis from the celebrating church of St. Seraphim in Palaia Penteli outlined the personality of St. Martyr Seraphim, Bishop of the Phanar, stressing that “diplomacy does not solve problems. Only with the intervention of God and the army of the saints will we be able to avoid a disaster today and the hard times that our country has been having in abundance.”
The Metropolitan of Thermopylae, who officiated at the Great Vespers, said that “many important personalities emerged during the Turkish occupation, who were not able to study but still taught proper teaching and theology. Saint Seraphim remained a symbol for that time, as he became a wise teacher, a good shepherd and patriot.”