On Monday, September 2, 2019, in a religious atmosphere, the Relics of the New Martyrs Raphael, Nicholas and Irene were received at St. Nektarios Holy Church of Krendis.
The relics of the Martyrs were transferred from Saint Raphael’s birthplace, Ithaca, with the permission of Metropolitan of Karpenisi, at the request of Pastor of Krendis and the Archieratic Commissioner of Agraia-Agrafa, Father Evangelos Fengoulis.
The official reception was held by Metropolitan Georgios of Karpenisi and a number of pilgrims came to Krendis from various parts of Evritania.
A liturgical procession was then formed towards the celebrating Church of St. Nektarios, where the Archieratic Vesper was held along with the Blessing of the loaves (artoklasia). There followed a Sacred Prayer to the New Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene.
On September 3, i.e. the Feast of the Translation of the Sacred Relics of Saint Nektarios, a Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Georgios of Karpenisi, assisted by the Evritian (Archdiocese) Archimandrite Nektarios Kotrotsios, who is serving in the Archdiocese of America, by General Archieratic Commissioner, Father Hilarion Liaskos, and by a number of clergymen of the Metropolis of Karpenisi.
