Reception of the Patriarch of Alexandria and Patriarchal Vespers in Rethymno
On Sunday, 27 October 2024, at the Holy Monastery of Saint Irene in Rethymno, His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa was received in response to the invitation of His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos to preside over the celebrations in memory of the Four New Martyrs of Rethymno – Manuel, Angelis, George and Nicholas – on the 200th anniversary of their martyrdom.
In the main church of the Holy Monastery of Saint Irene, Metropolitan Prodromos warmly welcomed the Patriarch, who responded with great emotion. He reverently knelt at the tomb of his deceased elder, the esteemed former Metropolitan of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, Theodoros (Tzedakis), and conducted a Holy Trisagion Memorial Service for the repose of his soul.
The Patriarch graciously received gifts from the KIFI Perama Centre and the family of Drs. Emmanuel and Anna Raptakis, and participated in the festive luncheon at the Holy Monastery.
The reception of the Patriarch was attended by the Deputy Governor of Rethymno, Ms. Mary Lionis, the Mayor of Rethymno, Mr. George Marinakis, clergymen, nuns from the Holy Monasteries of Christ the Saviour in Koubes and Saint Irene in Rethymno, and faithful Christians.
In the afternoon of the same day, Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria was received at the entrance of the Holy Church of the Four Martyrs of Rethymno, which was celebrating its feast day. The Patriarch presided at the Patriarchal Vespers with the participation of His Eminence Metropolitan Makarios of Aneon, representing His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew; His Grace Bishop Paul of Thespiae, representing His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece; His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph of Proikonnisos; His Eminence Metropolitan Irenaeus of Lampi, Syvritos and Sfakia; His Eminence Metropolitan Amphilochios of Kissamos and Selinos; His Eminence Metropolitan Theodoros of Brazzaville and Gabon; His Grace Bishop Nikephoros of Amorion; and His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos.
Before the conclusion of Vespers, Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos warmly greeted the Patriarch, expressing his gratitude and speaking with heartfelt words about their long acquaintance and relationship.
In his response, the Patriarch spoke warmly and emotionally, referring to his strong ties with the island of Crete, especially with the Prefecture of Rethymno, where he took his first ecclesiastical steps in the neighbouring Metropolis of Lampi, Syvritos and Sfakia, and in Spili of Agios Vasileios, expressing his gratitude to his late Elder, Metropolitan Theodoros (Tzedakis), who later became Metropolitan of Rethymno and Avlopotamos.
The Patriarchal Vespers was attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defense, Ioannis Kefalogiannis, the Deputy Governor of Rethymno, Mary Lionis, the Mayor of Rethymno, George Marinakis, Deputy Mayors, Municipal and Regional Councillors, military and security officials, representatives of local authorities and organisations, traditional associations and a large gathering of people.
