Crete: Archbishop Evgenios of Crete visits the Higher Patriarchal Ecclesiastical Academy

On Monday, 17 February 2025, at the Higher Patriarchal Ecclesiastical Academy of Crete, on the feast day of Saint Theodore the Tyro, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the adjacent Academy Church of the Holy Protection of the Mother of God. His Eminence Metropolitan Theodoros of Seleucia, Professor of Ecclesiastical History of the Academy, who was celebrating his Patronal Feast Day, presided over the Divine Liturgy, while His Eminence Archbishop Evgenios of Crete, was present and joined in prayer.

Metropolitan Theodoros was joined in concelebration by Archimandrite Fr. Dionysios Charitakis, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Agarathos, Archimandrite Fr. Chrysostomos Nikakis, Director of the Radio Station of the Holy Archdiocese of Crete, the Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Fr. George Ladoukakis and other priests from the Holy Archdiocese and other Metropolises.

Also present at the Holy Altar, praying together, were Archimandrite Fr. Nikiforos Kounalis, General Hierarchical Vicar of the Holy Archdiocese of Crete, Archimandrite Fr. Kyrillos Christofis, Parish Priest of the Church of the Holy Protection of the Academy, and many clergy.

The chanter’s stand was diligently served by the President of the Academy, Associate Professor of Historical Byzantine Musicology Mr. Michalis Stroumpakis, the Academy’s Theology teacher and Professor of Byzantine Music Mr. Stavros Mazonakis, Father Nektarios Kiosterakis and students. The Divine Liturgy was attended by Archons of the Great Church of Christ, Archon Hymnodos Mr. Antonios Plaitis, Director of the School of Byzantine Music of the Holy Archdiocese of Crete, the Archon Maistor and member of the Music Laboratory Teaching Staff of the Academy Mr. Andreas Giakoumakis, the Teaching and Administrative Staff of the Academy, students and faithful.

Before the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Archbishop Evgenios of Crete, offered paternal words of love to his fellow countryman and celebrant, His Eminence Metropolitan Theodoros of Seleucia. In response, Metropolitan Theodoros, with words of gratitude and thanksgiving, offered thanks to the Archbishop, his colleagues at the Academy, the chanters and the Congregation, emphasising at the same time the care of Archbishop Evgenios and the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Church of Crete for the Patriarchal Academy.

A feast day gathering and offering of hospitality followed for all who were present in the President’s office.