St. John of Russia honored in Orestiada's Saint Athanasius Church

The memory of Saint John of Russia was celebrated on May 26‑27, 2026 at the Holy Parish Church of Saint Athanasius in Orestiada, Greece. The two‑day event featured evening prayers, a divine liturgy and a special focus on a relic fragment of the saint kept in the church.

Metropolitan Damaskinos of Didymoteicho, Orestiada and Soufli delivered a sermon emphasizing the saint’s steadfast faith, humility, hard work and patience. He quoted the Gospel, noting that “whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” The Metropolitan also praised Archimandrite Iakovos Arnaoutis and the parish team for their dedicated preparations and ongoing efforts to improve the community.

The celebration highlighted the deep devotion of local Orthodox faithful and underscored the importance of preserving the saint’s spiritual legacy in the region.