Permission granted for the Divine Liturgy at Panagia Soumela Monastery on 23 August 2024

The Ecumenical Patriarchate has announced that, following a decision by the Turkish authorities, permission has been granted for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the Panagia Soumela Monastery on Friday, 23 August 2024. This date marks the Leavetaking (Apodosis) of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos. Unfortunately, permission was not granted for the main Feast of the Dormition on August 15.

The Divine Liturgy on August 23 will be presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Stephanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos.

Read below the full announcement from the Phanar:

“Following a decision of the Turkish authorities, permission has been granted for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the Soumela Monastery on Friday, 23 August 2024, the day of the Leavetaking of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (Apodosis). The Divine Liturgy will be conducted by His Eminence Metropolitan Stephanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos.”