Saint John the Theologian honored in major services on Crete and Rhodes

In May 2026, two Greek Orthodox communities marked the feast of Saint John the Theologian with elaborate celebrations.

In Melí Megáron, Crete, the Archbishop of Sinai presided over the historic Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint John the Theologian, the first time an archbishop led the service there since the church’s founding in 1953. The event included traditional Mikrasiatic dances, presentations of commemorative gifts, and the Archbishop’s appointment as an honorary member of the local cultural society.

On the island of Rhodes, the Metropolitan of Rhodes, Kyrillos, led a festive Divine Liturgy at the Saint John the Theologian church in Vati. He emphasized the saint’s message “love one another,” and was presented with a commemorative plaque by the parish committee. Large numbers of faithful from Vati, Afanto, and surrounding villages attended both services, highlighting the saint’s enduring local importance.