The wonder-working Holy Icon Axion Esti of the Theotokos, the All-Holy Virgin Mary, was conveyed from the church of the Protaton, in the Mount Athos capital of Karyes, to the northeast Greece city of Komotini on Tuesday, on the occasion of the centennial anniversary of the Thrace province’s joining mother Greece.
Numerous faithful, including pilgrims from around Greece, assembled at the city’s western entrance to welcome the wonder-working Icon, carrying flowers and flags, and with many tearfully praying at the sight of the Holy Icon.
In welcoming the procession of Athonite Elders conveying the Holy Icon, the Metropolitan of Maronia and Komotini, His Eminence Panteleimon, thanked the Athonite community for the decision to allow the Axion Esti to be conveyed to Komotini for veneration by the faithful and to serve as a blessing for all Hellenism.
In his reply, the All-Reverend Elder Christoforos of Iviron, who led the procession, stated that “…Komotini, from its foundation, is immersed in the principles of Mt. Athos, and the PanagMary the Virgin Mary, today returns to Her throne to embrace our problems.”
After the welcoming of the Mount Athos procession, the Holy Icon was accompanied to the Metropolitan Cathedral dedicated to the Annunciation of the Theotokos, where a doxology service was held.
In the morning, before the Holy Icon, the Orthros service was held, followed by a con-celebratory Divine Liturgy, attended by Elder Christoforos and his accompanying Hieromonks and Monks.
The Holy Services were live-streamed by Pemptousia TV.
Several of the faithful who attended the services and venerated the Holy Icon also spoke to Pemptousia.
