Heraklion, Crete, May 20, 2026
Photo: patrickcomerford.com
The Church of Crete festively commemorated the 60th anniversary of the return of the skull of St. Titus the Apostle to Heraklion on May 16-17.
When Heraklion was captured by the Turks in 1669, the Venetians removed all the relics from the Church of St. Titus and took them to Venice. The bulk of his relics remain there today, though his head was returned on May 15, 1966 and is now kept in a silver reliquary in a side chapel in the church.
The anniversary celebrations included a solemn Vespers service on Saturday evening, May 16, presided over by Metropolitan Titos of Kydonia and Apokoronou. On Sunday, May 17, Metropolitan Gerasimos of Petra and Cherronisos led the Matins service, while Archbishop Eugenios of Crete presided over the Divine Liturgy attended by multiple metropolitans and bishops.
The services concluded Sunday afternoon with a Vespers service led by Metropolitan Theodoros of Seleucia, followed by a procession of the relic through the streets of Heraklion, accompanied by the municipal philharmonic orchestra and a military honor guard.
Photo: Romfea
In his address, Archbishop Eugenios described the feast of St. Titus as a celebration for all of Crete, stating: “When St. Titus celebrates, Crete celebrates. The holy Crete of the Fathers, the Venerable Ones, the Martyrs, the Confessors and the New Martyrs celebrates.” He called St. Titus “the first golden link in the chain of Apostolic Succession of the Church of Crete.”
The Archbishop emphasized the saint’s continued relevance, noting: “The saint, enthroned in his Church, blesses our steps unceasingly and brings peace to our existence.”
Addressing contemporary challenges, he said: “Today, when the universal problems of wars, hunger, violence, terrorism, ecological destruction, irrational use of technology and fanaticism afflict humanity, St. Titus teaches us that we are all co-responsible and have a duty to cooperate for their healing.” He added: “St. Titus teaches us not to fear any danger and never to lose our hope.”
Abp. Eugenios also announced that additional events, conferences, and activities commemorating the anniversary will continue through the end of the year.
Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe and Gab!
