On Sunday, October 27, 2024, at the Holy Monastery of St. Irene in Rethymno, Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa was received in response to the invitation of Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos to preside over the celebrations in memory of the Four New Martyrs of Rethymno – Manuel, Angelis, George, and Nicholas – on the 200th anniversary of their martyrdom.
In the main church of the Holy Monastery of St. Irene, Metropolitan Prodromos warmly welcomed the Patriarch, who responded with great emotion. He reverently knelt at the tomb of his deceased elder, the esteemed former Metropolitan of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, Theodore (Tzedakis), and conducted a Holy Trisagion service for the repose of his soul.
The Patriarch graciously received gifts from the KIFI Perama Center and the family of Drs. Emmanuel and Anna Raptakis, and participated in the festive luncheon at the Holy Monastery.
The reception of the Patriarch was attended by the Deputy Governor of Rethymno, Mrs. Mary Lionis, the Mayor of Rethymno, Mr. George Marinakis, clergymen, nuns from the Holy Monasteries of Christ the Savior in Koubes and Saint Irene in Rethymno, and faithful Christians.
In the afternoon of the same day, Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria was received at the entrance of the Holy Church of the Four Martyrs of Rethymno, which was celebrating its feast day. The Patriarch presided at the Patriarchal Vespers with the participation of Metropolitan Makarios of Aneon, representing the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew; Bishop Paul of Thespiae, representing Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece; Metropolitan Joseph of Proikonnisos; Metropolitan Irenaeus of Lampi, Syvritos and Sfakia; Metropolitan Amphilochios of Kissamos and Selinos; Metropolitan Theodore of Brazzaville and Gabon; Bishop Nikephoros of Amorion; and Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos.
Before the conclusion of Vespers, Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos warmly greeted the Patriarch, expressing his gratitude and speaking with heartfelt words about their long acquaintance and relationship.
In his response, the Patriarch spoke warmly and emotionally, referring to his strong ties with the island of Crete, especially with the Prefecture of Rethymno, where he took his first ecclesiastical steps in the neighboring Metropolis of Lampi, Syvritos and Sfakia, and in Spili of Agios Vasileios, expressing his gratitude to his late Elder, Metropolitan Theodore (Tzedakis), who later became Metropolitan of Rethymno and Avlopotamos.
The Patriarchal Vespers was attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defense, Ioannis Kefalogiannis, the Deputy Governor of Rethymno, Mary Lionis, the Mayor of Rethymno, George Marinakis, Deputy Mayors, Municipal and Regional Councillors, military and security officials, representatives of local authorities and organizations, traditional associations, and a large gathering of people.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
