Today, 26 October 2023, with the appropriate ecclesiastical grandeur, the city of Thessaloniki celebrates two important feast days. On the one hand, its Patron and protector, Saint Dimitrios, on the other, the 111 years since the day it was freed from 482 years of Turkish slavery.
On Thursday morning, at the Holy Pilgrimage Church of Saint Dimitrios, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was held, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Barnabas of Neapolis and Stavroupolis.
The festive Divine Liturgy was co-celebrated by Their Eminences: Metropolitan Timotheos of Thessaliotis and Fanariofersala, Metropolitan Ioustinos of Nea Krini and Kalamaria, Metropolitan Platon of Langada, Liti and Rentini, as well as a multitude of priests and deacons from the Metropolis of Thessaloniki and other Metropolises.
During the Divine Liturgy, the former Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki, made his way to the Holy Church, who after venerating the holy reliquary of the Saint, subsequently remained joined in prayer from the Holy Altar during the sacrament of the Divine Eucharist.
Hundreds of believers flocked early in the morning to venerate the Saint who for centuries has protected not only the city of Thessaloniki, but also the Balkans. This year’s celebration was brightened with the presence and blessing by the Holy Icon of Panagia Koroniotissa, which was brought from the Holy Monastery of Koroni, Agrafon, a few days ago by His Eminence Metropolitan Timotheos of Thessaliotis.
After the Divine Liturgy, a festive Doxology was conducted for the 111 years since the Liberation of Thessaloniki from the Ottoman yoke, which was attended by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou, as well as representatives of the local political leadership, self-governing and military authorities.