Veria, Greece, June 30, 2026
Photo: Romfea
A pan-Orthodox Divine Liturgy marking the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul was celebrated on the yesterday morning at the Old Metropolitan Church in Veria, Greece, dedicated to the Apostle who founded the local Church of the Veroeans.
The service brought together hierarchs representing Orthodox Churches from across the world for the closing events of the 32nd “Pauleia” commemorations, reports Romfea.
The Liturgy was led by Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden, representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate, who also delivered the homily. Concelebrants represented the Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Georgia, as well as the Churches of Greece, Albania, and Cyprus, alongside hierarchs of the host Metropolis and neighboring Greek sees. Bishop Damascene of Mareotis, representing the Patriarchate of Alexandria, presided at Matins.
Following the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veria, Naousa and Kampania addressed and thanked the hierarchs who took part in the celebration, expressing his gratitude to Patriarch Bartholomew, the other primates, and their representatives for honoring the feast of the Apostle Paul with their presence.
He offered particular thanks to Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia, who presided and spoke at the previous evening’s festal Vespers, as well as to the local civil and military authorities, conference participants, clergy, monastics, chanters, and faithful in attendance.
The order of services was overseen by the Protosyngellos of the Metropolis, Archimandrite Dimitrios Baklagis, and the rector of the Metropolitan Church, Archimandrite Prodromos Girtzaliotis. A memorial service was held for the late Metropolitans Pavlos of Veria and Pavlos of Drama. A fragment of the holy relic of the Apostle Paul, kept in the Metropolis, was placed out for veneration.
After the Liturgy, the hierarchs and other guests proceeded to the Metropolitan Hall of Veria, where Met. Panteleimon presented commemorative gifts and offered his thanks for their participation in the academic and liturgical events of the 32nd Pauleia.
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