Holy Metropolitanate of Hios, Psara and Oinoussai: “Glory is a permanent resident of this heroic island”

In an ambiance of deep religious contrition and high national morale the anniversary of the Holocaust of the heroic island of Psara was celebrated on July 3 and 4, 2021.

In the afternoon of Saturday, July 3, 2021, a biarchieratical Great Vespers was performed in the holy church of Saint John the Forerunner and Saint Anna of Mavri Rahi of Psara with the participation of Most Rev. Metropolitan Markos of Hios, Psara and Oinoussai, and with His Grace Bishop Ioakeim of Apollonias officiating. Subsequently, Most Rev. Markos performed a Trisagion before the Memorial of the Fallen for all those who fought heroically and fell gloriously for faith and fatherland, referring to the presence of Glory on the island of Psara over at least the last one thousand years.

A varied programme of festivities followed.

On Sunday, July 4, a Biarchieratical Divine Liturgy was performed with the two Hierarchs officiating, accompanied by other clergymen. In his address, Most Rev. Metropolitan Markos spoke of “A theological and national analysis of Sacrifice, Glory, and Freedom as grades”, and then a Doxology was chanted in memory of the Holocaust of Psara, a Memorial Service for Constantinos Kanaris was carried out, and speeches, recitals and prizes awarded to high-school pupils by Most Rev. Metropolitan Markos completed the celebrations.

State, military and local government dignitaries attended.