On Monday, June 30, 2025, the Feast of the Holy Twelve Apostles was celebrated with solemnity and reverence at the Holy Metropolitan Church of Saint Paraskevi in the Community of Therapia. It was also Elder Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi’s name day.
The Great Festal Vespers and Matins were conducted on the eve of the feast, followed by the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with the blessing of the loaves (Artoklasia) on the morning of the feast. Elder Metropolitan Apostolos presided over the liturgy.
Those present at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy included Metropolitan Theoliptos of Iconium (representing Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew), Metropolitan Maximos of Silivria, Metropolitan Amphilochios of Adrianople, and Metropolitan Andreas of the Forty Churches; as well as Bishop Adrianos of Halicarnassus, Bishop Kassianos of Arabissos, and Bishop Paisios of Xanthoupolis. Also in attendance were Mr. Athanasios Balerbas, Secretary General of the Greek Ministry of Interior; Archons and officials of the Great Church of Christ and the Holy Metropolis; and Professor Konstantina Karakosta of the Department of History and Archaeology at the University of Patras. Numerous faithful from the local community and abroad were also present.
After the liturgy, Metropolitan Theoliptos of Iconium, representing the Ecumenical Patriarch, extended greetings and well-wishes to Metropolitan Apostolos. The Proistamenos of the Holy Metropolitan Church of Saint Paraskevi of Therapia, Rev. Fr. Adamantios Kokkinakis, did the same on behalf of the clergy. Mr. Athanasios Balerbas, Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior of Greece, also extended greetings and well-wishes.
In his homily, the Metropolitan emphasized the missionary work of the Holy Apostles, stating: “My beloved brothers, the mission does not belong solely to the past. It is alive and active in the life of the Church and is an urgent necessity for the modern world.” It is at the heart of the Christian experience and the essence of the Church, its mission, its witness, and its constant proclamation of life in Christ.” Humanity wanders in uncertainty, estranged from the roots of spirituality. We walk in darkness, hungering for meaning in life. The challenges of our time, lack of faith, materialism, false happiness, and isolation, lead to an existential impasse, which only Christ can illuminate with true hope. The purpose of the mission is to bridge the gap between God and humanity and rekindle faith and love.”
He concluded by referring to the goals of the Holy Metropolis, saying: “It is, and will remain, the concern of your humble shepherd to preserve the unity of the flock, cultivate its spiritual growth, safeguard and strengthen the traditions of Romiosyne, promote ecclesiastical life, and care for the weak and poor within our eparchy. With faith and humility, I exhort all of you, clergy and laity, to walk as true disciples and apostles of Christ, coworkers in the ministry of love and solidarity for the good of the Mother Church, the Greek Orthodox diaspora, our youth, and our children.”
After the Divine Liturgy concluded, a reception was held in the courtyard of the magnificent Holy Metropolitan Church of Saint Paraskevi in Therapia. This was followed by a musical event presented by the Women’s Choir of the Holy Metropolis of Derkoi, “Daphnes,” directed by music instructor Mrs. Sofia Neochoritou.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
