Pylos receives the Icon of Panagia Myrtidiotissa and Holy Skull of Saint Theodore of Kythera

In an atmosphere of great emotion and unspeakable spiritual joy, the historic town of Pylos welcomed on Saturday afternoon, 15 June 2024, the miraculous Icon of Panagia Myridiotissa (Our Lady of Myrtles) and the grace-flowing Skull of Saint Theodore of Koroni, from the island of Kythera.

The holy relics were brought to Pylos by His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera and Antikythera, while they were received by His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia, the holy Clergy of the area, representatives of the local Authorities and a multitude of faithful believers. This was followed by the Festive Vespers celebrated by the Metropolitan of Kythera and concelebrated by the Metropolitan of Messinia.

At the end of the Vespers Service, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia referred to the spiritual ties between Pylos and Kythera, while he expressed his heartfelt thanks to Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera and his associates for the transfer of the sacred relics, emphasising the ethos and the ecclesiastical mindset of the Shepherd of Kythera. His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera, in turn, expressed his emotion for being in Pylos, which has Panagia Myrtidiotissa as its Protectress and Patron, and referred to Her abundant blessings and help to the island of Kythera, but also to the whole human race.

This was followed by the twinning of the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestoros and Kythera, with the signing of a relevant Memorandum of cooperation by the Mayors Mr. Panagiotis Karvelas and Mr. Efstratios Charchalakis respectively.

In addition, in addition to the two Mayors, the Deputy Regional Governor Efstathios Anastasopoulos, the General Secretary of the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Kafantaris, Deputy Mayors, Municipal Councillors, representatives of the local law enforcement agencies and other local Agencies were present.