Patras, Western Greece, Greece, August 8, 2023
Photo: i-m-patron.gr
Thousands of Orthodox faithful flocked to one of Greece’s oldest functioning monasteries recently to venerate one of the many wonderworking icons of the Panagia and to sing her praises.
Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras and Bishop Chrysanothos of Kernitsa welcomed the crowd of pilgrims to the Holy Monastery of Panagia Girokomiou in Patras, which was founded in the 10th century. There, the faithful sang the praises to the Most Holy Theotokos written by the hand of Metropolitan Dionysios of Patras in 1541, during his time at the monastery, reports the Metropolis of Patras.
Photo: i-m-patron.gr
The annual celebration is one of the most beloved for the faithful of Patras.
The service was held in the courtyard of the monastery, where the holy Girokomitissa Icon of the Theotokos is brought in procession and placed on a beautifully adorned stand.
After the service, the icon was again carried in procession throughout the inner and outer courtyard of the monastery, “with the crowds of faithful raining flowers, incense, and tears on the Mother of our Lord and Mother of the whole world.”
In his sermon, Met. Chrysostomos spoke about the holy monastery, the pride of the Patras Church, the wonderworking icon, the labors of the monastics, and the faithful people of Christ, “who offer gifts to the [Panagia] Girokomitissa, not only tangible but also spiritual, as tokens of her benefaction and wonderful protection.”
Photo: i-m-patron.gr
This celebration, the hierarch said, combines sacred hymns, prayer, fasting, spiritual struggle, and the Sacramental life, with the center being the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ.
“This celebration has nothing to do with secular celebrations, which often lead to sinful entertainment, especially during the period of fasting and reflection,” the Metropolitan of Patras said. “The true celebration for us is the Divine services with the Divine Liturgy at its center, and everything else follows, making it blessed for man.”
Photo: i-m-patron.gr
Finally, he thanked the abbot of the Monastery, Archimandrite Symeon Hadji, and the brotherhood him for their spiritual contribution to the Apostolic Metropolis of Patras and society in general. He wished everyone good health, both physical and spiritual, and the continuation of their spiritual struggle, so that they might joyfully reach and celebrate the great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos.
***
John Sanidopoulos writes about the history and name of the monastery:
Girokomio Monastery is one of the oldest functioning monasteries in Greece, dating back to around the tenth century. It is called “Girokomio” because the monastery used to run an old age home in Byzantine times. The Monastery itself was built over an ancient pagan temple dedicated to Artemis, which is one reason why the Catholicon of the monastery is dedicated to St. Artemios. The other reason is that St. Artemios, who was the general of St. Constantine the Great, is said to have come to Patras by order of Emperor Constantine in the fourth century in order to transfer the relics of the Apostle Andrew, who was martyred in Patras near this monastery, and bring them to Constantinople.
During the period of the Turkish occupation, the monastery was the seat of the Metropolitan of Patras. The Monastery was set on fire by the Turkalvans on Good Friday 1770 and on Palm Sunday 1821. During the national rebellion, it was the scene of many battles.
The victory of the Battle of Girokomiou in 1821 was attributed to a miracle of the Theotokos.
In 1943, the monks were expelled from the monastery and went into exile for a year. The monastery underwent renovations in 1988 and 1995-1999 and today is a thriving place of prayer and asceticism.
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
