With sacred devotion, the Holy Clergy and a multitude of pious people welcomed on Sunday afternoon, near the Holy Church of the Apostle Andrew of Patras, the holy Icon of the Virgin Mary of Vimatarissa, which was accompanied from Mount Athos by the Abbot of the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi, Elder Ephraim, along with other Monks from his Brotherhood. This is a faithful copy of the miraculous Icon of the Virgin Mary of Vimatarissa, which is kept within the Holy Altar of the Catholicon of the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi.
After the glorious reception, the Holy Icon of the Virgin Mary was placed in the centre of the magnificent Church of the Apostle Andrew and a Doxology Service was celebrated.
His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras spoke from the bottom of his heart about the all-revered Person of the Holy Theotokos, about the monastic state of Mount Athos, about the profound reverence of the Apostle Andrew for the Virgin Mary, to whom he was the first to dedicate a church, and about the reverence of the people of Patra for the Ever-Virgin Mary. He also warmly thanked Abbot Ephraim for the blessing he brought to the Apostolic City and Metropolis of Patras, namely the all-revered icon of our Virgin Mary.
He also thanked the Entourage of Elder Ephraim, Monks and Laity, and asked them to pray on Mount Athos and for the holy Clergy and the pious People of Patras.
Abbot Father Ephraim, through spiritual words, spoke about the great blessing that the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi has, so that seven miraculous icons of the Virgin Mary are kept there and of course the greatest treasure of the Mother of God, the honourable and grace-filled Belt (Cincture) of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Finally, he thanked His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras, the Holy Clergy and the People of Patras for the well-attended reception of the Holy Icon of the Virgin Mary and wished everyone strength from the Lord in their spiritual struggles and to celebrate the feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle and Christmas with the blessing of the Lord.
