Feast Day of the finding of the Holy Relics of Saint Ephraim the Great Martyr and wonderworker of Nea Makri

The memory of the Finding of the Holy Relics of the Holy Great Martyr Ephraim the New and Wonderworker was commemorated for another year, on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 2 and 3, 2024, at the Holy Metropolis of Kifissia, Amarousion, Oropos and Marathon, and specifically at the Holy Monastery of the Annunciation of the Theotokos and Saint Ephraim of Mount Amomon, Attica (Nea Makri).

On the eve of the feast day, a festive Hierarchical Vigil was held, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios of Glyfada, Hellinikon, Voula, Vouliagmeni and Vari, who was joined by local priests and his archdeacon.

At the end of Vespers, His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios of Glyfada preached the holy sermon, referring both to the value and importance (spiritual and conceptual) of Faith in our Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ, notwithstanding that there are various delusions, which are a false sense of humankinds’ spiritual rest and joy. It is worth noting that Metropolitan Antonios of Glyfada, has a special regard for Saint Ephraim, since the years when he was a young Archimandrite.

On the main day of the Feast, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the local Shepherd, His Eminence Metropolitan Kyrillos of Kifissia, Amarousion, Oropos and Marathon, who was joined by the Vicar Generals of Kifissia, Nea Makri and priests of the local region.

At the time of the Koinonikon (Communion Hymn), Vicar General of Kifissia, Archimandrite Grigorios Leipouris, preached the Holy Sermon, referring to the manifestation of the Triune God through time in the history of the world, especially in the celebrated events during the period of Holy Twelve Days of Christmas, in the faith and struggle of the Martyrs, as well as in the true way of honouring the Saints according to the words of Saint John Chrysostom: “the honour of a martyr is his imitation”.