Holy Vespers at the Ekatontabiliani of Paros (photo)

On Monday afternoon, 14-8-2023, the Holy Vespers of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary were celebrated with special solemnity at the pilgrimage of Paros Panagia Ekatontapilianis.

The Holy Liturgy was presided over by His Holiness Bishop Bartholomew of Keramon and His Excellency Mr. Kallinikos, Metropolitan Archbishop of Paronaxia.

“Now you dismiss…” before our Reverend Metropolitan Theophilus and the representatives of the state leadership, the armed forces and the security forces addressed and wished God’s rich blessing in their lives and good deeds with the ambassadors of our Lady.

He emphasized that Panagia Ekatontabiliani, located in the middle of the Aegean, had been a spiritual beacon for 17 centuries, not only for the inhabitants of the Aegean islands, but for all orthodoxies.

Later, Bishop of Korosta Mr. Bartholomeos preached the homily. In this ceremony, Deputy Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy Mr. Ioannis Pappas, Cyclades Member of Parliament Mr. Marcos Kaforos, Mayor of Paros Mr. Mr. Marcos Govayos, Chief Minister of Paros Province. Kostas Pisas also participated. Fleet, Vice Admiral Mr. Eleftherios Kataras, Representative of the Chief of the Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Mr. Nicholas Polemis, Cyclades Police Director, Brigadier General Mr. Georgios Vamvoukas, representatives of the security forces, local self-government and the crowd.

This was followed by the celebration of the Holy Vigil, during which the praises of the Most Holy Theotokos were sung and concluded in the wee hours of the morning.