The memory of Saint Vissarion the Agathonite was honoured in his place of birth

In his birthplace, Petalidi, Messinia, and in the Holy Church of Zoodochos Pigi (“life-giving spring”), due to the narrowness of the space in the Chapel of Saint Vissarion, which was erected by the piety of the local Christians, the memory of Saint Vissarion the Agathonite was honoured with a Holy Vigil on Tuesday evening, 21 January 2025.

In the specific Church of the Life-Giving Spring and before the Holy Icon of the Virgin Mary of Petalidiotissa, the then young Andreas Korkoliakos, and later Saint Vissarion, was baptised, spiritually nurtured and destined to receive the call from the Lord, since the Church and Her Icon constituted his spiritual refuge in his childhood and youth.

The Holy Vigil was presided over by Archimandrite Philip Hamargias, Protosyncellus of the Holy Metropolis of Messinia, and was joined by the Vicar General of Petalidi, Father Dimitrios Kokkalis, Archimandrites Alexios Aronis and Irinaios Gougounis, Protopresbyters Vasilios Athanasopoulos, Athanasios Sipsas, Georgios Mitropoulos and Father Christos Koutsantonis.

Before the end of the Divine Liturgy and after the Koliva placed in honour of Saint Vissarion was blessed, Father Philip, after thanking the numerous pilgrims and priests who came to honour the memory of the Saint and Elder, then referred to the person and life of Saint Vissarion, emphasising the two great weapons he had in his life, faith and love, calling on everyone to also have these as weapons against the Devil.