An official visit to the Holy Metropolis of Larissa and Tyrnavos will be made by Archbishop Makarios of Australia, during the period from May 12 to 16, and will take part in the celebrations of the Patron Saint of Larissa, Saint Achillios.
In fact, Archbishop Makarios will preside over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy that will be celebrated on the day of the feast, Monday, May 15, and will deliver the feast day’s homily at the Holy Metropolitan Church of Saint Achillios. On the eve of the feast, Sunday, May 14, he will preside over the Poly-Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of Saint Nicholas Larissa, while he will also officiate at the pre-feast festive Great Vespers that will be celebrated in the old Basilica of Saint Achillios, on Friday, May 12.
It is noted that during his visit to the Holy Metropolis of Larissa and Tyrnavos, and specifically on Saturday, May 13, Archbishop Makarios of Australia will be announced as an honorary citizen of the city of Larissa, in the context of a the festive gathering of the local Municipal Council.
With a relevant announcement, the local Metropolis communicated the complete program of the upcoming visit of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, for the information and facilitation of the faithful, in order to participate in the historic, as pointed out, this event. The announcement highlights that “the Holy Metropolis of Larissa and Tyrnavou will have the special blessing of welcoming and hosting from Friday, May 12th until Monday, May 16th Archbishop Makarios of Australia, Primate and Exarch of all Oceania. Our response and reception towards the person of the Archbishop must be proportional to this extraordinary honor”.
The program of the visit follows:
Friday 12 May
19.00 Festive Vespers in the Old Basilica officiated by Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who will also offer the feast day homily. Following this, a Litany procession to the Holy Metropolitan Church of Saint Achillios and opening of the reliquary of the Holy Relics will take place.
Saturday 12 May
10.00 Visit to the Region of Thessaly. Reception by the Regional Governor of Thessaly, Konstantinos Agorastos, in the presence of the President of the Regional Council, the Vice-Regional Governors, and the Members of the Regional Council. Address of the Regional Governor – and address in response by Archbishop Makarios.
11.15 Departure from the Region of Thessaly to the Town Hall of Larissa.
11.30 Visit the Town Hall of the city of Larissa. Reception by the Mayor Mr. Apostolos Kalogiannis, the President of the Municipal Council, the Deputy Mayors, and the Members of the Municipal Council. Celebratory gathering of the Municipal Council and Proclamation of Archbishop Makarios of Australia as an honorary citizen of the city of Larissa. Address of the Mayor – and address in response by Archbishop Makarios.
Sunday 14 May
7.45 Officiating at the Matins at the Holy Church of Saint Nicholas, Larissa, and presiding of the Poly-Hierarchical Divine Liturgy by Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who will preach the Divine Word and be joined by the local Shepherd, His Eminence Metropolitan Ieronymos of Larissa and Tyrnavos.. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the church’s children’s choir will chant and sing in honor of Archbishop Makarios, while in the courtyard the Cultural Association “Xenioi Krites” will present a short dance program. A short greeting of the Archbishop will be made to the Cretans.
19.00 Festive Poly-Hierarchical Vespers on the occasion of the Memory of Saint Achillios, Archbishop of Larissa
20:45 Litany of the Holy Relics of Saint Achillios in the City of Larissa
Monday 15 May
8.00 Festive Matins and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on the feast day of Saint Achillios, Archbishop of Larissa, presided over by Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who will also offer the festive homily of the day.
Tuesday 16 May
09.00 Arrival at the Air Force Headquarters. Reception of Archbishop Makarios by the Commander of the Air Force Mr. Georgios Fasoulas. Presentation of the Senior Officers and briefing on Headquarters. Commander Address – Archbishop Makarios address in response.
10.45 Transfer to the 110th Fighter Ward and display of the aircrafts.
11.45 Departure from the 110th Fighter Ward for the 1st Army Base.
12.00 Visit to the 1st Army Base of Larissa. Reception of Archbishop Makarios by the Commander of the 1st Army Base Ioannis Tsioplos and information about the 1st Army Base. Commander’s address – Archbishop’s address in response.
