Serres, Greece, November 12, 2025
Photo: Romfea
The Metropolis of Serres and Nigrita celebrated the feast of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel on Saturday, November 8, with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy concelebrated by five bishops at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Holy Archangels. The Archangels are venerated as the protectors and guardians of the historic city of Serres.
Metropolitan Theologos of Serres and Nigrita served alongside Metropolitans Kyriakos of Nazareth, Chrysostomos of Trikki, Bartholomew of Poliani, and Damaskinos of Aetolia, reports Romfea.
The celebration drew a large crowd of faithful, along with prominent civil and military officials.
Photo: Romfea
Met. Bartholomew of Kilkis delivered the festal sermon, addressing the protective presence of the angelic powers in human life. He urged the faithful to honor the holy angels and archangels and ask them to accompany people “all the days of our lives,” offering protection with humility before God rather than pride and egoism.
A special element of the celebration was the presence of a relic from the left hand of St. Patapios, which has been hosted at the cathedral since Wednesday, November 5. The complete incorrupt body of the saint is preserved at his namesake monastery in Loutraki in the Metropolis of Corinth.
Following the Liturgy, Met. Theologos honored retired General Ilaridis with the Gold Cross of St. Nikitas the New Martyr, the highest distinction of the Metropolis of Serres. In his address, the hierarch emphasized that young people today need “complete and healthy role models” illuminated by faith in Christ and inspired by quality character, pure soul and word, and the principles and values cultivated in Greece. He described General Ilaridis as such a model, embodying the highest principles of piety, patriotism and philanthropy.
Photo: Romfea
General Ilaridis encouraged the youth to imitate faith, virtue, courage, diligence and love of learning, drawing inspiration from the patriotism and wisdom of their forebears in order to build strong, balanced, and godly character.
After the Divine Liturgy, a traditional procession took place despite light rain, with the holy icon of the patron Archangels and the grace-bearing relic of St. Patapios.
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