Thessaloniki, October 26, 2023
The relics of St. Demetrios. Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr
All of Greece, and indeed, the whole of the Orthodox world (that serves on the new calendar) festively celebrated the Great Martyr St. Demetrios the Myrrh-Gusher yesterday.
Celebrations in Thessaloniki, which counts the great saint as its patron and where his relics are treasured in the Church named in his honor, are especially festive every year.
The Panagia Koroni Icon. Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr
The festivities began with the Divine Liturgy followed by a procession with the relics and icon of St. Demetrios through the streets of Thessaloniki on Wednesday morning and afternoon. The procession, which was led by three hierarchs of the Greek Church, was also blessed with the wonderworking Koroni Icon of the Theotokos this year, reports Romfea.
Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr
On Wednesday evening, Vespers for the feast of St. Demetrios was celebrated by Metropolitan Justinos of Nea Krini and four other Greek hierarchs. The church was filled with hundreds of Orthodox faithful.
In addition to the relics of St. Demetrios, the church also has a container with soil and blood from his very martyrdom of St. Demetrios, which is only brought out for veneration on the eve of his feast.
Watch the hierarchical Vespers service:
Later that night, hundreds of faithful again packed the church for a full All-Night Vigil.
The next morning, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Barnabas of Neapolis and four other hierarchs:
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