The 202nd anniversary of the Naoussa Holocaust

On the Sunday of Thomas, 12 May 2024, in the morning, at the Holy Metropolitan Church of the Transfiguration of Christ our Saviour, on the occasion of the Feast of the Holy 2000 New Martyrs of Naoussa who were martyred in 1822, a Poly-Hierarchical Divine Liturgy took place.

The Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Kallinikos of Arta, while also concelebrating were Their Eminences, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Trikki and Stagoi, Metropolitan Athanasios of Sisanion and Siatista, Metropolitan Plato of Lagadas and the local Shepherd, His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veria, Naousa and Kampania.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, a Doxology was performed on the 202nd anniversary of the Holocaust of the city, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veria, Naousa and Kampania, in the presence of the representative of the Greek Government, Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Mr. Stamenitis, the Mayor of the heroic city of Naoussa, Mr. Nikolaos Karanikolas, the Members of Parliament and representatives of the local political and military authorities.

This was followed by a Trisagion Memorial Service at the “Place of Sacrifice” at the Arapitsa river and wreath-laying at the waterfall where Naoussa women sacrificed themselves with their young children in order not to fall into the hands of the Turks. Finally, the customary annual students and military parade took place.