From July 16 to 18, Metropolitan Timotheos of Thessaliotis visited the Holy Metropolis of Plovdiv, under the Bulgarian Patriarchate, at the invitation of Metropolitan Nikolai of Plovdiv. He participated in the liturgical celebrations honoring Saint Marina, the holy and glorious great martyr and patron saint of Plovdiv.
Also invited by the Church of Greece, Metropolitan Ieronymos of Larissa and Tyrnavos was present at the celebrations.
On the eve of the feast, Metropolitan Timotheos presided over the procession of the icon of the Virgin Mary and the relic of Saint Marina from the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos to the festive Holy Metropolitan Cathedral. He subsequently led the service of Vespers.
In his sermon, the Metropolitan spoke about the life of Saint Marina, emphasizing especially her martyrdom and its significance for our times. He also highlighted how the common celebration of Vespers expressed the love and unity among the attending hierarchs. “Though we are different peoples, we are united by one Christ, united by the common Holy Altar, united by the Holy Chalice, the Body and Blood of Christ which we partake, having as our firm foundation the common Faith,” he stated.
The service was concelebrated by Metropolitan Ieronymos of Larissa and Tyrnavos, Metropolitan Iakovos of Dorostol, Metropolitan Arsenij of Sliven, and bishops, together with Metropolitan Nikolai of Plovdiv.
On the feast day, Metropolitan Ieronymos led the Orthros service, while Metropolitan Arsenij presided over the Divine Liturgy. Metropolitan Arsenij delivered the homily, focusing on contemporary challenges and the exemplary role of Saint Marina as a model of a full and complete human being.
To view photos from the Procession, click HERE
To view photos from the Matins Service and Divine Liturgy, click HERE
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
