The Feast of the Historic Holy Monastery of Panagia Zerbitsa on Mount Taygetos
On Sunday, 23 August, the Church celebrated the Leave-taking of the Dormition of the Theotokos. Within the Holy Metropolis of Monemvasia and Sparta, the historic Holy Monastery of Panagia Zerbitsa marked its feast with splendour and the presence of a multitude of faithful.
On Saturday afternoon, Great Hierarchical Vespers with the Artoklasia was celebrated, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Efstathios and attended by numerous clergy of the local Church.
In his meaningful address, the local Shepherd initially observed that all-conquering time, which subdues and erodes all things or consigns them to oblivion, left the Most Holy Theotokos untouched. She was the first perfect human being and constitutes the “bridge” between Heaven and Earth.
His Eminence then referred to the intercessory, guiding and consoling presence of the Panagia. At the same time, he emphasised the need for every Christian to draw strength from the Mother of God, who by grace is the Mother of us all, so as to journey along the difficult yet beautiful path of virtue and love. A reverent procession of the Epitaphios of the Panagia around the katholikon followed.
On the principal feast day, Festal Matins, the blessing of the loaves and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy were celebrated, presided over by the local Shepherd and assisted by priests from the wider region.
The Preacher of the Holy Metropolis of Monemvasia and Sparta, Archimandrite Raphael Tsaltas, delivered a timely and spiritually edifying address to the devout pilgrims.
Before the procession of the holy Icon around the katholikon, His Eminence Metropolitan Efstathios brought the festal liturgical gathering to a close by commending the Abbess and the entire sisterhood, who have transformed the Monastery into a spiritual beacon for the wider region.
He also thanked the speaker, the priests who participated in the feast on both days, and the faithful who prayerfully attended both sacred services. In conclusion, he prayed that the Panagia, our spiritual compass, hope and consolation, would keep everyone beneath her protection.
Divine Liturgy photographs: Dimitrios Skiadas
H αναδημοσίευση του παραπάνω άρθρου ή μέρους του επιτρέπεται μόνο αν αναφέρεται ως πηγή το ORTHODOXIANEWSAGENCY.GR με ενεργό σύνδεσμο στην εν λόγω καταχώρηση.
Ακολούθησε το ORTHODOXIANEWSAGENCY.gr στο Google News και μάθε πρώτος όλες τις ειδήσεις.
