With particular splendor and ecclesiastical grandeur, the feast commemorating the Holy Venerable Virgin-Martyr Saint Paraskevi the Athletress was celebrated on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at the festal Churches of Saint Paraskevi in the Communities of Therapeia and Vathyrryakos, belonging to the Holy Metropolis of Derkoi.
On the afternoon of Saturday, July 25, the Festal Vespers Service was celebrated at the Holy Metropolitan Church of Saint Paraskevi in Therapeia, presided over by Bishop Paisios of Xanthoupolis. A Festal Vespers Service was also celebrated at the Church of Saint Paraskevi in the Community of Vathyrryakos.
On the day of the feast itself, Matins and the Divine Liturgy were celebrated at the Holy Metropolitan Church, including the Service of Artoklasia (the blessing of the loaves), with Elder Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi presiding. At the same time, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Church of the Community of Vathyrryakos along with Bishop Paisios of Xanthoupolis.
Present at the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Metropolitan Church were Mr. Georgios-Spyridon Mamalos, Head of the Public Diplomacy Office of the Consulate General of Greece in Constantinople; Mr. Nikolaos Protopapas, former Director of the Private Office of the former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mr. Andreas Katsaniotis, and currently Director of his Political Office, accompanied by his family; a group of pilgrims from Thessaloniki, led by Supreme Court Attorney Mr. Michael Petropoulos; Archons Offikialioi of the Great Church of Christ; and a large number of pilgrims from Constantinople and abroad.
Following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a festive luncheon was held in the courtyard of the Metropolitan Church, accompanied by music from the pilgrims from Thessaloniki, lending an especially joyful character to the celebration.
