The Retrieval of the Holy Relics of Saint Kallinikos, Bishop of Edessa, was celebrated today, Thursday, October 15, 2020, at the Holy Cathedral of Agia Skepi in Edessa, with the participation of many High Priests.
The Metropolitan Panteleimon of Xanthi and Peritheorion officiated at Orthros. After the Doxology, the ceremony of the Retrieval of the Holy Relics of Saint Kallinikos took place.
The holy relics were brought to the entrance of the church by the Protosyncellus of the Diocese of Edessa, Archim. Stefanos Devrelis and clergy of the Holy Diocese who were welcomed by Metropolitan Joel of Edessa and the participating in the celebration hierarchs, transferring them to the center of the holy temple, where a short prayer was held.
The Metropolitan Panteleimon of Vryoula read a special wish on the Retrieval of the Holy Relics and a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was performed.
Metropolitan Joel of Edessa in his speech praised the virtues of the honored Saint, saying that he was a prophet, since from a layman he still proclaimed the ways of The Lord, since he loved the Divine Liturgy very much and was officiating very often. He also had the memory of the Kingdom of God constantly before him and invoked His mercy. He was an excellent shepherd who with great diligence chose the worthy clergy and took care of the education of the priests.
During the sacred services, the Byzantine choir of the School of Byzantine Music of the Holy Metropolis of Edessa and the cantors of the church with choirmaster the Director of the School, Aristotelis Vogiatzoglou.
Also present were the Mayor of Edessa D. Giannou, the Deputy Regional Governor of Pella I. Tzamtzis, the MPs of Pella G. Karasmanis, D. Stamenitis, V. Vassiliadis and T. Tzakri, the Mayor of Nafpaktia b. Gkizas relative of the Saint, the Mayor of Pella G. Stamkos, the Police Director of Pella P. Perdikatsis and other representatives of the local authorities.
The holy relics of Saint Kallinikos will remain in the Cathedral, where a Divine Liturgy will be performed daily until the day of the official celebration of the Ordination, which will be held by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
