On Sunday morning, 19 November 2023, His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno officiated at the matins and following this presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Church of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, in Rethymno.
Before the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, the hymn ‘Axion Estin / Truly it is right to call you blessed’ was chanted by the holy chanters, as well as the new Apolytikion Hymn of the ‘Lady of Rethymno’ as the icon was placed on the icon-stand for veneration on the soleas of the Metropolitan Church. The Holy Icon of the ‘lady of Rethymno’ (Virgin Mary of the Passion, 15th century), will henceforth be in this position, for the blessing and support of the pilgrims who come with faith to ask for her help and intercessions.
The Divine Liturgy was attended by the Mayor of Rethymno, Mr. Georgios Marinakis and a large number of faithful believers.
In the moving and heartfelt address of the Dean of the Holy Metropolitan Church, Protopresbyter Charalambous Kamilakis, referred to the history of the Holy Icon and to this historic day of the “enthronement” of the icon “in the church”. His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno responded to the Dean of the Church with warm words, expressing his joy for this gift to the local Church and his thanks to all who contributed to this event, as well as for the gift offered by the Holy Metropolitan Church of a set of Hierarchical engolpia, designed with the sacred image of the Lady of Rethymno.
A copy of the Holy Icon was distributed to the large congregation along with the antidoron.
