Poly-Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Feast Day of Saint Iakovos of Evia at the Holy Monastery of Saint David the Elder

With feelings of joy and holy emotion, on November 21 and 22 at the Holy Monastery of Saint David the Elder in Rovies, Northern Evia, the celebration of the holy memory of the Holy and God-bearing Father Iakovos (Tsalikis) the new Ascetic, was held, who was a Clergyman of the Holy Metropolis of Chalkida and specifically Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint David.

In the afternoon on the eve of the feast day, Tuesday, 21 November 2023, His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Nikopolis and Preveza officiated at the festive Great Vespers, joined by Their Eminences, Metropolitan Dimitrios of Goumenissa, Axioupolis and Polykastron, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Chalkida, Istiaia and the Northern Spodares, and His Grace Bishop Nikodemos of Skopelos.

Just before the litany took place, the local Hierarch, His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Chalkida welcomed the Holy Hierarchs and the large crowd of pilgrims, and then Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Preveza, preached the holy sermon, analysing the Doxastikon Hymn written for Saint Iakovos.

After the conclusion of the Great Vespers and throughout the night, a Holy Vigil took place, which was lead by the Holy brothers and fathers of the Holy Monastery, assisted by local Priests of the Metropolis, in the Chapel of Saint Iakovos the Brother of God, which is located in the outside areas of the Holy Monastery.

On the main day of the feast day, Wednesday, 23 November 2023, His Eminence Metropolitan Dimitrios of Goumenissa officiated at the Matins Service, presided over the Poly-Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and preached the holy sermon, with the participation of Clergy of the Holy Metropolis as well as parishioners, led by the Abbot of the Holy Monastery Archimandrite Gabriel Emmanouilidis.

In His Sermon, His Eminence Metropolitan Dimitrios referred in detail to the holy life of St. Iakovos Tsalikis.

All the pilgrims who came and joined the feast day services in the church, together with the living presence and grace of Saints David and Iakovos, enjoyed the warm and noble hospitality of their current successors, the fathers of the Holy Monastery.

Photographs: Christos Vasileiou, Nikolaos Makris, Andreas Rouko