HOLY INAUGURATION BY THEODOROS II, PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA OF THE HOLY CHURCH OF ST GERASIMOSM PALADAS IN HIS BIRTHPLACE

On Saturday 11th July 2015, the Holy Inauguration of the First Holy Church of St Gerasimos Palladas, Patriarch of Alexandria in his birthplace, the Parish of Kallone Monofatsiou, in the Holy Archdiocese of Crete, with great ceremony, by His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa

. His Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch, supported by the local Metropolitan His Eminence Archbishop Irenaios of Crete, His Eminence Kyrillos Metropolitan of Rhodes, composer of the entire Service of St Gerasimos Palladas and His Grace Makarios Bishop of Christopolis, together also with His Eminence Andreas Metropolitan of Arkalohorion, Kastellion and Viannou, conducted the Holy Inauguration and the first Divine Liturgy, in an atmosphere of emotion and joy.

His Beatitude spoke emotionally of his Holy Predecessor St Gerasimos Palladas and urged the numerous pilgrims, clergy and laity, to have courage, strength, hope and unity in the difficult times being experienced by Greece at this time and not to forget their prayer to the Saints of the Church.

With noble memories His Beatitude spoke of his school years, his companionship with the residents of the area, who maintain the unpretentious folk piety, and before the Dismissal of the Divine Liturgy he consecrated as Archimandrite of the Alexandrian Throne, the Most Reverend Hieromonk Sylvester, who will minister in the Missions.

His Eminence Irenaios, Archbishop of Crete thanked His Beatitude for his blessed presence, as well as the Blessed Hierarchs for their participation in the joy of the Inauguration and prayed that better days would dawn for our country. The Parish Priest Fr. Minas Lambrakis, in commemoration of theday, gave His Beatitude an Icon of St Gerasimos Palladas.

Present at the Inauguration were the most honourable Stavros Arnaoutakis, Governor of the District of Crete, Mr. Emm. Koksalis, the Mayor of Arhanon-Asterousion, Captain of the Harbour Corps Mr. Theofanis Koukoulos, Central Harbour Master of Heraklion, Mr. Nik. Papadakis, Director of the Archaeological site of Knossos and many clergy and pilgrims, who came to receive the blessing of the Inauguration and the prayers of His Beatitude.

After the Dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude the Patriarch distributed the blessing of the Holy Inauguration and then festive treats were given to all in the grounds of the Church.