Thousands of faithful joined a religious procession in Chalcis in honor of Saint Paraskevi
The faithful carried the venerated icon of the patroness of Chalcis through the central streets of the city.
In the Greek city of Chalcis, thousands of faithful took part in a solemn religious procession in honor of Saint Paraskevi. The festive events dedicated to the heavenly patroness of the city took place on July 25 and 26. This was reported by the Union of Orthodox Journalists in Greece.
This year, due to large-scale restoration works at the historic church of Saint Paraskevi, the Church moved all services to the metropolitan cathedral of Saint Demetrius. Despite the temporary change of venue, enormous crowds of faithful came to the cathedral to honor the memory of the saint.
The central event of the feast was a solemn litia with the icon of the patroness of Chalcis through the streets and the city embankment. The prayerful procession was attended by Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, Metropolitan Nikephoros of Gortyna and Megalopolis, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Chalcis, and Bishop Nikodemos of Skopelos.
Particular attention among the faithful was drawn by the visit of Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki, who came to the panegyris in his hometown. The residents of Chalcis warmly welcomed the hierarch, who had begun his ecclesiastical path in the local churches.
The celebration concluded in an atmosphere of special spiritual joy, as the townspeople and numerous pilgrims paid their honors to Saint Paraskevi with deep reverence.
As the Union of Orthodox Journalists previously reported, tens of thousands of faithful in Belgrade joined a procession with the Belt of the Theotokos.
