With solemnity and due ecclesiastical order, the commemoration of Saint Gall was celebrated on Sunday, October 13, 2024, the closest Sunday to the feast day itself (October 16). Saint Gall, the enlightener of the Swiss in northeastern Switzerland, lived in the 7th century and is recognized as the patron saint of the canton and the city of St. Gallen, where the parish of Saints Constantine and Helen of the Swiss Metropolitan Church is located, in the northeastern reaches of the country near Lake Constance.
Metropolitan Maximos of Switzerland, accompanied by his Archdeacon Gabriel Baratashvili, and Athanasios Giannikis, a student from the graduating class of the Institute of Postgraduate Studies in Orthodox Theology in Chambésy, traveled to the city of St. Gallen to officiate the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen. In his sermon, the Metropolitan expounded on the parable of the Good Sower and referenced the life of Saint Gall, whose feast has now become the second major celebration of the parish. He commended the church’s rector, Archimandrite Damaskinos Kassotis, and his esteemed collaborators for their efforts in beautifying the church and the surrounding auxiliary spaces, provided spiritual support to the faithful of this remote parish, and announced that the consecration of the new chapel, dedicated in honor of Saint Gall, will take place, God willing, at the beginning of the new year.
A multitude of devout people filled the church, despite the autumn school holidays, honoring the saint of their region. After the Divine Liturgy, a celebration followed in the church courtyard and the parish hall, featuring a variety of local delicacies.
On the actual feast day of Saint Gall, Wednesday, October 16, the Orthros and Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by the invited Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Koudoumas in Crete, Archimandrite Makarios.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
