The Service of the Akathist Hymn in Thessaloniki

On Friday, 4 April 2025, His Eminence Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki officiated at the Service of the Akathist Hymn, which took place at the Parish Church of Saint Therapon in Kato (Lower) Toumba, Thessaloniki, along with the participation of a large congregation. His Eminence Metropolitan Damaskinos of Velestino also co-officiated.

At the Sacred Chanters Stands, male and female students of the Department of Music Science and Art of the School of Social and Humanistic Studies of the University of Macedonia of Thessaloniki chanted, as did the Women’s Byzantine Choir “Ev neanides” of the Poetry School of the University of Macedonia of Thessaloniki, and the Byzantine Choir of the Church, under the guidance of the Protopsaltis and Assistant Professor of the University of Macedonia of Thessaloniki, musicologist Mr. Georgios Patronas, and the Lampadarios Mr. Ioannis Tziastas.

Representatives of the Greek Parliament, the Local Government and the University Community of the University of Macedonia attended the service of the Akathist Hymn as well.

Metropolitan Philotheos, during his sermon, referred to the holy person of the Most Holy Theotokos and her role in the salvation of humankind by Christ.

Before the dismissal, he congratulated the students who excellently performed the hymns to the Champion General and, subsequently, the Proistamenos of the Holy Church and Protosyncellus of the Metropolis, Archimandrite Iakovos Athanasiou, thanked Metropolitan Philotheos for his presence in the Holy Church.