On Sunday morning, 26 November 2023, in which the Church celebrates the feast day of St. Stylianos of Paphlagonia, the patron saint and healer of children, His Eminence Metropolitan John of Zambia presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, conducted the blessing of the five loaves (artoklasia) and spoke to the congregation about the moving icon of Saint Stylianos with a baby in his arms.
The Metropolitan referred to Saint Stylianos of Paphlagonia, in Asia Minor, as the protector of infants and children, a doctor of embraces and childbearing, who has helped many childless couples to have children.
A meal was offered thereafter in the forecourt of the Church of Saint Basil the Great, in the Mission. It should be noted that Sunday, 26 November 2023, was the seven-year anniversary of the election of the Metropolitan of Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi.
The priests of the local Metropolis who were present, shared a celebratory cake, thanking the Metropolitan for his vigilant care, abundant paternal love, and spiritual support, and blessings.
