Chalkida, Greece, July 27, 2026
Photo: Romfea
The clergy and faithful of Chalkida celebrated their patron saint, St. Parasceva, with services and a procession held July 25-26.
Due to ongoing restoration work at the historic parish church of the patron saint, this year’s celebration was held for the fourth consecutive year at the Metropolitan Church of St. Demetrios in Chalkida. The temporary change of venue didn’t prevent large numbers of the faithful from Chalkida and surrounding municipalities from gathering to venerate the wonderworking icon and relic fragment of St. Parasceva, reports Romfea.
On the eve of the feast, Saturday, July 25, the festal Vespers was led by Metropolitan Nikephoros of Gortyna and Megalopolis, concelebrated by Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki, Bishop John of Skiathos (Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece), and Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Chalkida, together with local and visiting clergy.
Photo: Romfea
Following Vespers, a procession through the city’s streets was led by Met. Athenagoras of Belgium. Clergy and worshippers were joined by representatives of state, local government, and military authorities, along with the municipal bands of Rafina-Pikermi, Ermionida, and Chalkida, a detachment from the Infantry School, and cultural associations of the city. People of all ages lined the streets to greet the procession.
The procession stopped along the way for a supplication service, and Bp. John of Skiathos delivered a sermon on the self-sacrificing love of Christ that inspired the life and martyrdom of St. Parasceva. Following the sermon, the procession returned to the Metropolitan Church, where the faithful held vigil throughout the night.
Photo: Romfea
On Sunday, July 26, Matins was led by Met. Athenagoras of Belgium, who then presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with the participation of the other visiting hierarchs. Met. Philotheos of Thessaloniki delivered the homily, speaking on the expression of love found in the life of St. Parasceva.
Before the dismissal, Metropolitan Chrysostomos thanked the visiting hierarchs for their presence and spoke of the restoration work being carried out on the patron saint’s church.
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