The Holy Metropolis of Edessa, Pella and Almopia has announced that, some years ago, the holy relics of the glorious Saint Chryse, the New and Great Martyr, were discovered near the ruins of the old Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, at the castle of Chryse.
The holy relics were examined by the Forensic Medicine Service of Thessaloniki, as well as by two specialised scientific laboratories in Germany, which determined, among other things, that the bones belonged to a young woman approximately 17 years of age and that the year of her death was 1795, as is also attested in her Life. It is also worth noting that even an ordinary observer can see the signs of the terrible torture endured by the Saint, particularly on her ribs and venerable skull. A clear sign of her sanctity, moreover, is the fragrance that continually emanates from her martyric relics.
The official Translation of the holy relics, an event of the greatest spiritual significance for the Holy Metropolis, as well as for the entire Orthodox Church, will take place during the annual celebration of the Saint’s memory at the church dedicated to her in the village of Chryse in Almopia.
On Monday, 12 October, at 6:00 pm, the official reception of the martyric relics of Saint Chryse will take place. Until now, the relics have been kept in the Holy Chapel of the Metropolitan Residence. A Hierarchical Vespers will subsequently be celebrated.
On Tuesday, 13 October, the feast day of the Saint, Matins and a Hierarchical Concelebration of the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated from 7:00 am.
Throughout the week, the Divine Liturgy and other sacred services will be celebrated daily in the church, in accordance with the festal programme that has been published.
“We glorify God for the great blessing He has bestowed upon us two centuries after the Saint’s horrific and glorious martyrdom, at a time of great spiritual challenges and temptations, and we exhort everyone to have recourse with faith to her holy intercessions and to the grace of her holy relics,” the Holy Metropolis of Edessa, Pella and Almopia stated in conclusion.