Matthew Mavrikaki
July 28, 2013
With Byzantine Splendor, Magnificence, and a Festal Hierarchical Vespers was the memory of the Holy Valiant Athlete and Glorious Healer Panteleimon celebrated on the island of Spinalonga located in Elounda, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Nektarios of Petra and Herronissos, surrounded by Priests of the Sacred Metropolis and several pilgrims who flooded the island of Spinalonga, exceeding one thousand (1,000) people who arrived on the island by a free boat from Elounda, Plaka, and Agios Nikolaos.
In his sermon His Eminence referred to the life of Saint Panteleimon and made a significant reference to the island of Spinalonga which hosted for many years people who suffered with Leprosy (Hansen's), and how many miracles were done by the Holy Healer and Wonderworker Panteleimon on this island. At the end of Vespers His Eminence celebrated a Memorial in memory of those who departed from their life there from the disease they suffered.
It is worth noting that two weeks ago there was a Divine Liturgy in the second chapel of the island which is dedicated to Saint George where an ossuary is built that gathered the relics of the departed where they breathed their last breath on the island. The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy of the Feast was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Nektarios of Petra and Herronissos who preached the Divine Word, and at the end of the Divine Liturgy he again celebrated a Memorial in memory of those who reposed on this tormented island of Spinalonga.
Translated by John Sanidopoulos
