Rethymno: Feast Day of the Holy Monastery of Saint Irene, with the participation of Bishop Evmenios of Chora and pilgrims from Australia
With due splendour and in accordance with ecclesiastical order, the annual Feast of the Holy Great Martyr Irene the Wonderworker was held over the two-days of 4 and 5 May, at the Holy Monastery of Saint Irene in the Holy Metropolis of Rethymno and Avlopotamos.
During the festal Hierarchical Vespers, on the afternoon of Sunday, 4 May 2025, His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora from the Holy Archdiocese of Australia officiated and led a group of pilgrims from Australia.
The local Shepherd, His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos, warmly welcomed His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora, on his first visit to Crete and Rethymno, emphasising the strong ties of the island of Crete with the Church of the fifth continent, the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, as both the late Archbishop Stylianos (Harkianakis) of Rethymno, and his successor, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios (Griniezakis) of Australia, have their origins in Crete.
His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos recalled his recent two visits to the Holy Archdiocese of Australia and expressed his warm thanks for everything he was privileged to experience during his stay there, admiring the great ecclesiastical work that is being carried out.
The Holy Sermon was preached vividly, heartily and movingly by His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora, who shared with the large congregation the experience of his ministry in the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, as well as the unbreakable relations with the Mother Church, our venerable Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the Mother Country, Greece.
After Vespers, a monastic meal followed on the grounds of the Monastery.
On the morning of the day of the feast, Monday, 5 May 2025, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, and His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora, who, once again, spoke to the numerous pilgrims with heartfelt, meaningful and instructive words.
Before the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Evmenios read the Holy Trisagion at the grave of the Late Metropolitan Theodoros (Tzedakis) of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, and a monastic meal followed.
The Feast Day was attended by crowds of pilgrims from all over the island of Crete, as well as devout pilgrims from America and Australia.
Also present were the Deputy Governor of Rethymno, Ms. Mary Lioni, the Brigadier General of the Hellenic Police, Mr. Emmanuel Papadakis, Assistant to the General Regional Police Director of Crete, the Head of the Major Opposition of the Municipality of Rethymno, Ms. Rena Koutsaledaki, the Director of the “Venizeleiou” Hospital of Heraklion, Mr. Konstantinos Dandoulakis, the Delegated Municipal Councillor, Mr. George Papadosefos and other Municipal Councillors of the Municipality of Rethymno, Professor Mr. Christos Lionis, the Protosyncellus of the Holy Metropolis of Lambi, Syvritos and Sfakia, Archimandrite Athanasios Karachalios, and other clergy from our Holy Metropolis and from various Ecclesiastical Provinces of Crete.
