In a special atmosphere of spiritual joy, during the two days of December 8 and 9, 2023, the Holy Metropolis of Pisidia honored, according to the Julian calendar, Saint Alypios the Stylite, in the holy church of the same name in Antalya.
The celebrations began the day before with the solemn vigil and ended on the feast day with the Divine Liturgy, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Andreas of Arkalochori, Kastelli and Viannos, with as concelebrants His Eminence the local Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, and his auxiliary bishop, His Excellency Bishop Amvrosios of Eudociada, with the participation of the clergy and many faithful from the parishes of Antalya, Side and Alanya. Also present was the Consul General of Ukraine in Antalya, Mr. Alexander Voronin.
The visiting Metropolitan Andreas of Arkalochori, Professor of the Faculty of Theology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, expressing his joy to be present in the historic city of Antalya, addressed an edifying homily to the congregation.
After the Divine Liturgy, a concert of liturgical hymns and popular songs was given by the parish choir under the direction of Mrs. Lydia Maslova. Then, a friendly festive meal was served to all participants.
The holy church of Saint Alypios the Stylite was erected in the heart of the old city in 1844 by brothers Eustratios and Ephraim Daniiloglou as a family chapel. It returned to the possession of the Church when it was purchased in 2011 by the Ecumenical Patriarchate thanks to the action of Metropolitan Sotirios of Pisidia of blessed memory.
It is the first church that since then began to function permanently within the Holy Metropolis of Pisidia, meeting the spiritual needs of the thousands of Orthodox Christians who live in the Antalya region, celebrating daily liturgical services and other holy mysteries.
