The feast of Saint Fotini in Smyrna was celebrated once more this year, a celebration during which our Church celebrates the Samaritan woman.
Except from Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna, Metropolitan Ignatios of Demetrias and Almiros also participated in the services of the feast in Smyrna.
After the end of the Divine Liturgy on the feast day, Metropolitan of Smyrna thanked Ignatios for accepting the invitation and going to Smyrna, while he referred to the strong links that connect Smyrna with Volos, as there are descendants of people from Smyrna and of inhabitants of the wider region of Ionia in Asia Minor, who fled and founded the city of Nea Ionia.
In his sermon, Ignatios referred to the role that the Christian, as a member of the Church, and the Church itself in contemporary society ought to play.
“The Church must surprise, because Christ is within the surprise,” he said.