The Feast Dat of Saint George the Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer at the Holy Xenophontos Monastery, Mount Athos
The Holy Xenophontos Monastery on Mount Athos celebrated the memory of its patron Saint, Saint George the Great Martyr and Trophy-Bearer, on Tuesday, 23 April 2025, according to the old calendar.
Invited to officiate and preside over the Feast Day, His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Chalkida, Istiaia and Northern Sporades, arrived at the Holy Monastery on Sunday afternoon, and the Athonite reception took place, with an address by the Abbot, Archimandrite Alexios, and a reply address by His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos.
On the eve of the feast, Monday, 22 April 2025, the small Vespers was chanted and this was followed by a monastic meal, while later the vigil began, which lasted 14 hours, until Tuesday morning.
The two choirs illuminated the feast with their chanting, on the right, the accompaniment of Elder Damaskinos, from the New Skete, while on the left, Archimandrite Cherouvim Tsinoglou from Thessaloniki with a student choir.
Participating in the holy services were the brother of the Holy Monastery, His Grace Bishop Damaskinos of Haapsalu of the autonomous Church of Estonia, the Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Pantokratoros, Archimandrite Elder Gabriel, accompanied by the Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron, Archimandrite Elder Niphon, Athonite fathers from Holy Monasteries and other sketes of Mount Athos, and a multitude of believers.
Also honouring the feast and attending were the Member of Parliament for Eastern Attica Mr. George Vlachos, the Mayor of Markopoulos Konstantinos Alagiannis, state authorities of Mount Athos, and the Mayor of Fyli, Attica, Mr. Christos Papous, to whom, during the feast, the holy Abbot awarded the honorary distinction of the Holy Monastery, the golden Cross of Saint George.
The Divine Liturgy was preceded by the Blessing of the waters at the fount of the Holy Monastery. After His Eminence was vested in the centre of the Katholikon, the feast day Divine Liturgy was celebrated, with a large number of priestly celebrants. A monastic meal followed with addresses and a speech by His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos.
Photographs: Kostas Tzivanidis
