The Memory of Saint Voukolos, who according to tradition was the First Bishop of Smyrna, was celebrated in anticipation on Sunday, 5 February 2023, at the Holy Church of Saint Photini, Smyrna, in order to give the opportunity to participate in the celebration to the members of the Orthodox Community of the city, who came and honoured their Protector and Patron Saint.
On Saturday afternoon, 4 February 2023, the Great Vespers of the Feast were conducted, with the blessing of the Five Loaves (Artoklasia), during which all the faithful serving in the Community and others were commemorated, its members and the spiritual grandchildren of Saint Voukolos, all around the world.
The following day, Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated, after which the Kollyva of the Saint was blessed, according to custom. The celebration was presided over by the local Shepherd, His Eminence Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna.
As is known, the honour of the Smyrnaeans to their patron saint is an ancient tradition of the local Apocalyptic Church of the capital of Ionia, that is why the Orthodox Smyrnaeans erected a Church in honour of him and the other Holy Bishop of Smyrna, hieromartyr Polycarp, whose Church is preserved in Basmane, used today as a cultural centre.
