Historic celebration of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Smyrna
The Great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos was celebrated with great reverence at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Smyrna, marking the first time the annual feast was held since the Orthodox Church was granted permission to celebrate it.
The services were presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia, who delivered a vibrant and detailed homily on the significance of the feast. He also highlighted the historic achievement for the local Orthodox community—the acquisition of a church that now serves the multinational flock residing in the modern city of Smyrna.
During the celebration of the Artoklasia (blessing of the five loaves), special prayers were offered for the health and strength of the community’s Shepherd, the clergy, and the faithful of the Church of Smyrna.
On Sunday, 18 August 2024, Metropolitan Ignatios presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Church, with the local Shepherd, His Eminence Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna, concelebrating. In his warm welcome, Metropolitan Bartholomew expressed gratitude to Metropolitan Ignatios for the assignment of Fr. Joel Podaropoulos, a former Archdeacon, to serve the needs of the Orthodox faithful in the region. He praised Metropolitan Ignatios for his ecclesiastical vision, emphasising the importance of unity.
Metropolitan Ignatios, expressing gratitude for the kind words, spoke on the significance of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos and emphasised the deep ties that unite the Metropolises of Demetrias and Smyrna. He highlighted the collaborative spirit between the two Metropolises, underscoring the importance of working together with all available resources to serve the Orthodox Church as a unified body, particularly in these challenging times.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a Trisagion Memorial Service was held in memory of the late Protopresbyter Marinos Georgakopoulos, father of Metropolitan Ignatios, marking the fifteenth anniversary of his falling asleep in the Lord.
