On Easter Sunday morning, 12 April 2026, the Vespers of Love service was held at the Church of Saint George in Makrochori. Elder Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi presided over the service.
The Holy Gospel was read in eight languages: Greek, Turkish, Armenian, English, German, Italian, Russian, and Bulgarian.
The chanting at the chanter’s stand was led by Archon and former First Domestikos of the Great Church of Christ, Miltiadis Pappas.
Those in attendance included Archbishop Aram Ateshian of the Armenian Church; Makrochori’s Mayor, Associate Professor Dr Ayşegül Ovalıoğlu, and her colleagues; the Municipality’s Director of Culture, Mithat Yolcu; and the Presidents of the local party branches (AKP, CHP, and İYİ Party). Faithful from the local community and abroad were also present.
Addressing the congregation, the Metropolitan expressed paternal love and spiritual joy for the feast of the Resurrection of the Lord. He also wished the distinguished guests good health and strength so they can continue their valuable work responsibly for the benefit of society and the common good.
In the afternoon, the Vespers of Love service was celebrated at the Holy Church of Saint Paraskevi in Vathyrryakos, with the Metropolitan presiding. The Holy Gospel was read in nine languages: Greek, Turkish, Armenian, English, German, French, Italian, Arabic, and Maltese. Notably, a representative of the Roman Catholic Franciscan Order, Fr Antonios Boulai, attended with his retinue, as did a representative of the Armenian Church.
The chanting at the chanter’s stand was led by the Archon Hieromnemon of the Great Church of Christ, the Archon Protopsaltis of the Holy Metropolis Antonios Chatzopoulos, and the chanter Ioanna Grigoriadou.
After the end of the sacred services, the parish committees offered refreshments in the churches’ community halls. The Metropolitan and the gathered parishioners and devout pilgrims then took part in the traditional Easter egg cracking.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
