In an atmosphere full of the joy and the light of Resurrection of Jesus there was held the Celebration of Hagia Irini Monastery of Rethymnon, which this year coincided with the Octave Day (Sunday of Thomas).
Bishop Paisios of Apamea, Assistant Bishop of Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria, officiated the Great Vesper, on Saturday of Diakainisimos evening, May 4, 2019.
Metropolitan Elder Gabriel of Leontopolis of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the local Pastor Metropolitan Evgenios of Rethymnon and Avlopotamos also attended the Holy Service and co-prayer from the Altar.
The Great Vesper was also attended by Archimandrite Damaskinos Lionakis, Protosyncellous, and Protosyncellus Georgios Perrakis, General Archieratic Commissioner of the Holy Metropolis of Kydonia and Apokoronou, in charge of a group of pilgrims from Chania, Archimandrite Bartholomew Vogiatzoglou, Primate of St. George Epanosifis (or Apanosifis) Holy Monastery, near Heraklion city, and other clergies as well.
Bishop Paisios of Apamea preached the Divine Word, referring to the life and the martyrdom of Hagia Martyr Irini.
At the end of the Vesper, Metropolitan Evgenios of Rethymnon and Avlopotamos thanked wholeheartedly all Hierarchs.
In the morning of Sunday of Thomas, May 5, 2019, the Matins (Orthros) and the Archieratic Divine Liturgy were held, presided by Metropolitan Evgenios of Rethymnon and Avlopotamos, assisted by other Clerics.
Last but not least, many pilgrims came to honor with all due respect the Holy memory of Hagia Irini.