Kalamata: Grand celebration of the feast of “Panagia Ypapanti” and procession of the miraculous Icon

With due ecclesiastical splendour, devotion and the presence of thousands of faithful believers, the city of Kalamata celebrated the feast of its patroness, “Panagia Ypapanti”, at the city’s celebrating Metropolitan Church.

The Matins and the Feast Day Poly-Hierarchical Divine Liturgy were presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Ephraim of Hydra, who was joined in concelebration by Their Eminences, Metropolitan Nektarios of Kerkyra, Metropolitan Athenagoras of Ilion, Metropolitan Konstantinos of Megara, Metropolitan Meletios of Carthage, Metropolitan Theoklitos of Stagoi and Meteora, Metropolitan Serapion of Paramythia and Metropolitan Epiphanios of Mantineia, as well as by His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Tanagra and the local Shepherd, His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia.

The holy sermon was preached by His Eminence Metropolitan Nektarios of Kerkyra, who referred to the symbolism of the great feast day of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, and the holy person of the Virgin Mary, emphasising that in the difficult days we are going through, we have great need of her intercessions.

After the Divine Liturgy, a procession of the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary took place through the city’s main streets, for the blessing and sanctification of the residents and pilgrims. Honours were paid during the procession by an Army and Philharmonic band.

Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia thanked the invited Hierarchs who participated in the celebrations, the dignitaries who were present, as well as the faithful people who participated in the feast day in their thousands, wishing that the Most Holy Theotokos would protect our Homeland and its people from all danger and difficulty.

Also present for the feast day celebrations were, The former President of the Hellenic Republic, Pres. Pavlopoulos, the former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, the President of the Parliament, N. Kaklamanis, the Government Representative, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security, K. Karagounis, the Members of Parliament, I. Lambropoulos, M. Chrysomallis, P. Mantas and M. Katrinis, the Regional Governor of the Peloponnese, D. Ptochos, the Mayor of Kalamata, A. Vassilopoulos, Mayors of other regions, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General D. Choupis, the Chief of the Fire Department, Lieutenant General T. Vagias, the General Police Director of the Peloponnese, Major General Elias Axiotopoulos, representatives of political parties, the judiciary, other security forces and local organisations.