Archbishop of Athens celebrates Vespers at site of Apostle Paul’s preaching

Vespers on the Areopagus on the feast of the Apostle Paul. Photo: UOJ

On June 29, 2026, festive Vespers dedicated to the memory of the foremost Apostle Paul was celebrated on the rock of the Areopagus in Athens, next to the Acropolis. This was reported by the UOJ in Greece.

The service was led by Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, concelebrating with members of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Greece and numerous clergy. At the place where the Apostle first addressed the Athenians with the Gospel, a special platform was set up with an icon of the saint and the Precious Cross.

Archbishop Ieronymos personally read a passage from the Acts of the Apostles, evoking the image of Saint Paul, who enlightened the Greek people. Bishop Chrysostomos of Evripos then delivered a festive homily, expounding the Apostle’s theological teaching on the nature of Jesus Christ.

At the end of the service, the Primate of the Church of Greece called the faithful to unity, reconciliation, and the defense of Christian truth, which has the power to transform the world.

Hundreds of faithful and officials attended the celebration, including Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Dimitrios Choupis, as well as a representative of the Catholic Church. Festive hymns were performed by the choir of the Association of Chanters of Attica under the direction of Protopsaltis Theodoros Kallimachos.

As the UOJ reported, Greece is hosting a major international forum dedicated to the legacy of the Apostle Paul.

Read also