The all-venerable memory of our Holy and God-bearing Father Gervasios of Patras, who fell asleep in the Lord on 30 June 1964, was celebrated with great splendour in the Apostolic city of Patras.
His canonisation was proclaimed by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, upon the recommendation of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, on 16 November 2023.
The celebrations took place at the Holy Shrine of Saint Gervasios in Sychaina, Patras, where stands the Church of Saint Paraskevi, built by Saint Gervasios himself, in which he was buried and where his grace-filled holy relics are enshrined.
At the invitation of His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras, His Eminence Metropolitan Nikephoros of Gortyn and Megalopolis, the Hierarch of the birthplace of Saint Gervasios, participated in the feast, as the Saint was born in Granitsa, present-day Nymfasia in Gortynia.
On the eve of the feast, Great Festal Vespers was celebrated, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Nikephoros of Gortyn and Megalopolis, with the prayerful participation of His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras, before a congregation that filled the church.
On the feast day itself, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated, with His Eminence Metropolitan Nikephoros presiding and concelebrating with His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras.
Both at Vespers and during the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos warmly welcomed Metropolitan Nikephoros, who responded appropriately and delivered the homily with theological depth and heartfelt emotion.
On the afternoon of the feast, the Afterfeast Vespers was celebrated, followed by the Service of Supplication (Paraklesis) to the Saint, after which his holy icon and fragrant relics were carried in procession.
The choir stalls were adorned by a large number of young chanters, who are spiritual children of Saint Gervasios.
The celebrations concluded with moving and heartfelt remarks by His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras concerning Saint Gervasios and his holy life and ministry, not only in Patras but also in every place through which he passed. His Eminence also referred to miracles performed by the Saint both during his earthly life and after his repose.
