The memory of Saint Nicholas Planas celebrated in his birthplace of Naxos

With a sober spirit and prayerful devotion, befitting the climate of deep sorrow for the loss of so many of our fellow human beings in the train accident of Tempi, the holy memory of Saint Nicholas Planas was celebrated in Naxos.

On Thursday, 2 March 2023, His Eminence Metropolitan Kallinikos of Paronaxia visited the celebrating Church of Saint Nikodimos the Hagiorite and Saint Nicholas Planas of Naxos, where he presided over the Services of Matins and Lenten Hours, at the end of which he blessed the Artos which were brought by the local faithful.

Afterwards, His Eminence presided over the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, in which almost the whole of the Holy Clergy of the island participated. During the chanting of the Koinonikon, Archimandrite Arsenios Melissianos, Preacher of the Holy Metropolis offered the homily.

Before the Dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, a Memorial Service was held for the repose of the souls of “our brothers and sisters who died tragically in the recent Tempe railway tragedy”, at the end of which His Eminence Metropolitan Kallinikos with great emotion appealed for fervent prayer for the recovery of the injured and consolation and support for the grieving and lamenting relatives of our murdered fellow human beings.

Both the Divine Liturgy and Vespers were attended by the Mayor of Naxos and the Smaller Cyclades, the Prefect of Naxos, the Deputy Regional Governor of Transport and Communications of the Cyclades, the head of the Major Opposition of the Municipality of Naxos, the President of the Local Community of Naxos, Deputy Mayors, the President of the Naxos Bar Association, representatives of the island’s Security Forces, students with the educational officers and a multitude of devout Christians. The sacred hymns were offered by choirs of Chanters led by Mr. Ioannis Konte and Mr. Dimitrios Papanis.

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