Orthodox religious services held at Ierapetra and Mount Athos

Religious commemorations and services were held at significant Orthodox sites. At the Holy Monastery of Panagia Exakoustes Mallon in Ierapetra, Metropolitan Kyriellos of Ierapetra and Sitia presided over the Matins service and an annual memorial service for the late Priest Petros Kalyvas. During his sermon, the Metropolitan provided an analysis of the parable of the bad farmers, interpreting the biblical text through the lens of divine relationship and faithfulness.

On Mount Athos, the Vatopedi Monastery celebrated the Dormition of the Mother of God. The panegyric Divine Liturgy was led by Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras, with several other high-ranking clergy in attendance, including the Metropolitan of Ireland and the Bishop of Eumenia. The event included the tonsure of a monk named Matthias. Following the service, Elder Ephraim, the Abbot of Vatopedi, spoke on the role of the Virgin Mary in the lives of the faithful, while Metropolitan Chrysostomos described Athonite monasticism as a spiritual resistance to secularism.