Elder Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi at the Holy Spring of Panagia Blachernae

On Saturday of the Akathist Hymn, 20 April 2024, the Matins Service and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with the blessing of the five loaves (Artoklasia) took place with a large congregation, presided over, according to the venerable and Patriarchal exhortation, by His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi, at the Holy Spring of Panagia Blachernae, where, according to tradition, the Akathist Hymn to the Ever-Blessed Virgin Mary was sung for the first time.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence spoke to the congregation about the feast day, while His Grace Bishop Adrianos of Halicarnassus, Patriarchal Overseer of the Phanar – Golden Horn District, also spoke appropriately. Afterwards, the procession of the Holy Icon of the Virgin Mary took place in the courtyard of the Holy Spring. A reception followed in the hall of the Holy Spring Church.