Memorial Service for the victims of the railway tragedy by the Metropolitan of Larissa
At the first Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts during the period of Holy and Great lent, which took place at the Holy Church of Saint John the Forerunner, Tyrnavos, His Eminence Metropolitan Ieronymos of Larissa and Tyrnavos, conducted a Memorial Service for the souls of tragic railway tragedy which has severely shocked Greece.
In his statement about the accident, which happened shortly before midnight on Tuesday, 1 March 2023, Metropolitan Ieronymos said: “With pain and sadness we are following the developments after the fatal train collision accident in the Tempe valley. Our prayers and thoughts are with the victims of this tragedy and their families. He also expressed his confidence in the staff of the region’s hospitals. “We know that they are responding sacrificially at this critical moment,” he emphasised.
He also expressed warm thanks to the security forces for their immediate response and their contribution to dealing with this tragic incident, while he concluded with the prayer “may God rest the souls of the victims” and “soon that the injured may return home healthy, but also that the relatives of the ones who have passed away may receive divine consolation from above”.
Condolences of Heads of Churches
His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, as well as His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Tyrana and All Albania, had telephone conversations with His Eminence Metropolitan Ieronymos of Larissa and Tyrnavos, to whom they expressed their prayers and support for the tragedy of the train accident in Tempe.
His Eminence thanked the Venerable Primates for their interest, informed them of the developments so far, as well as of the actions of the Holy Metropolis of Larissa and Tyrnavos. Both Primates asked him to convey their condolences to the families of the victims, but also their wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured. They assured that their prayers are both with those who suffered from this horrible accident, and with those who are working from their own position to deal with the shocking tragedy.
His Eminence Metropolitan Ieronymos of Larissa and Tyrnavos, publicly thanked the Archbishops, as well as a number of Metropolitans, who hastened to express their sorrow for the tragic event and wish the families of the victims well.
