An all-night vigil for the Great Feast of the Evangelismos of the Theotokos (Annunciation) was held at the Holy and Great Vatopedi Monastery on Mt. Athos from Saturday afternoon (April 6, 2019) until Sunday morning at 11 a.m. (09.00 GMT).
The celebration of the announcement by the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary, that she would conceive the Son of God, marking His Incarnation, is the festal Feast Day for the renowned Mt. Athos Monastery, and as such, was celebrated with all appropriate ecclesiastical rites and honors.
The Metropolitan of Nea Krinis and Kalamarias, His Eminence Ioustinos, officiated at the celebratory Divine Liturgy, after arriving at the Holy and Great Monastery on Saturday afternoon, where he was warmly received by the Athonite brotherhood.
The Superior of the Hilandariou (Hilandar) Monastery on Mt. Athos, Archmandrite Elder Methodios, co-officiated at the celebratory Divine Liturgy and jointly prayed with the Superior of the Vatopedi Monastery, Archmandrite Elder Ephaim.
Some 500 pilgrims from Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Serbia, Poland, Russia and the Ukraine were in attendance.
