In accordance with the Athonite order and in an atmosphere of prayerful compunction, the Synaxis of the Vatopedi Fathers was celebrated on Thursday, 23 July, at the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi, with an All-Night Vigil and a festal Divine Liturgy.
The celebrations were presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Stefanos of Philippi, Neapolis and Thasos, together with Elder Philotheos, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Karakallou, and Elder Ephraim, Abbot of the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi.
Athonite fathers also participated in the feast, having come to the Monastery to honour the memory of the Vatopedi Saints.
Hundreds of pilgrims from various parts of Greece and abroad, including Cyprus, Georgia and Romania, arrived at the Monastery to participate in the celebrations.
During the Liti, the customary festal Athonite refreshments were offered in the Monastery’s Synodikon. There, His Eminence Metropolitan Stefanos of Philippi, Neapolis and Thasos and Elder Ephraim, Abbot of the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi, addressed the fathers and pilgrims, speaking about the spiritual message of the Feast of the Synaxis of the Vatopedi Saints.
On the morning of the feast day itself, the celebrations continued with a festal Divine Liturgy. The Eucharistic assembly was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Stefanos of Philippi, Neapolis and Thasos, together with Elder Philotheos, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Karakallou; Elder Ephraim, Abbot of the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi; and other Athonite fathers.
Following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a festal meal was served in the refectory.
