The Feast Day of Holy Pascha in Smyrna

With the universal participation of the multinational flock of the Orthodox Community of Smyrna, The Feast of Holy Pascha was celebrated in the capital of Ionia. The faithful flooded both the Holy Churches of the city, in which the Holy Services of Holy and Great Week and Holy Pascha were held, and presided over by the local Shepherd, His Eminence Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna.

The sacred Services of the Bridegroom and the Divine Liturgies of the Presanctified Holy Gifts were held in the Holy Church of Saint Foteini, while from Wednesday evening onwards the Services were held in the Holy Metropolitan Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos. Present at the Holy Services was Mr. Alexandros Konstas, Consul General of Greece in Smyrna.

At the holy chanters stands, the invited gracious chanters Mr. Fotis Amanatidis and Mr. Nikolaos Batakoias, from Katerini and Grevena, respectively, served diligently, both being students of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, chanted the hymns of Holy Week in an exemplary manner and according to the style and order of the Holy Great Church of Christ.

On Easter Sunday, the Vespers of Love were celebrated, during which the Holy Gospel was read in Greek, Latin, Slavonic, Turkish, English and German, and after the Dismissal, the Shepherd, Metropolitan Bartholomew distributed red Paschal eggs to the crowded congregation.