Sunday of the Paralytic and Mother’s Day at the Church of Saint Dimitrios, Tataoula, Constantinople

In a festive atmosphere, Mother’s Day was celebrated on the Sunday of the Paralytic, 11 May 2025, in the Community of Saint Dimitrios, in Tataoula, Constantinople.

The Divine Liturgy was presided over and the Holy Sermon was preached by His Eminence Metropolitan Stephanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos, Hierarchical Proistamenos of the Community, who was joined by the Clergy of the Holy Church, while also in attendance were Mr. Georgios-Spiridon Mamalos, head of the Public Diplomacy Office of the Consulate-General of Greece in Constantinople, and a multitude of believers.

During the subsequent reception in the Community Hall, His Eminence Metropolitan Stephanos delivered a moving address, focusing on the deep spiritual meaning of motherhood, emphasising that respect and honour for parents is one of the Ten Commandments of God, and that in the Orthodox tradition we honour our mothers, in the holy person of the Most Holy Theotokos, who is the Mother of all Christians.

Then, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Ms. Evangelia Kanari, Educator and General Secretary of the Community, delivered an address full of gratitude and tenderness, underlining the timeless value of the mother.

The emotion peaked when Metropolitan Stephanos offered symbolic commemorative gifts to all the mothers who attended, wishing them health, patience and every good thing from God in their blessed struggle.