Photos: Paraskevi Syropoulou, Dimitrios Petrogiannis

With great splendor and overwhelming participation of Christians, the memory of our Holy Father John the Russian, the New Confessor, was celebrated again this year on Tuesday, May 26 and Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Nea Prokopi, Euboea, and specifically at His Holy Shrine, whose Incorrupt Holy Relic is kept with reverence by the Holy Metropolis of Chalcis, Istiaia and the Northern Sporades as a precious gift.

Thousands of faithful came to receive the Grace of the Triune God through the intercessions of Saint John, to honor His memory and to lay at His Holy Relic the burdens of the problems of this present life, as well as the petition for the inheritance of eternal life. Large numbers of faithful, especially young people, with deeply moving warmth of faith and piety, once again walked on foot a distance of more than 50 kilometers, from Chalcis to Nea Prokopi, fulfilling their vow, thus demonstrating their great faith in the Triune God and His "friend," Saint John.

This year's feast was attended by Their Eminences the Metropolitans of Karystos and Skyros Mr. Seraphim, of Eirinoupolis Mr. Nikandr (from the Ecumenical Patriarchate), of Thessaloniki Mr. Philotheos, of Polyanis and Kilkis Mr. Bartholomew, of Gortyna and Megalopolis Mr. Nikiforos, Their Graces the Bishops of Skiathos Mr. John — Secretary General of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, of Epidavros Mr. Nikodemos, of Skopelos Mr. Nikodemos, and His Eminence our Shepherd, the Metropolitan of Chalcis, Istiaia and the Northern Sporades Mr. Chrysostomos.

On the eve, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in the afternoon, the Festal Vespers were celebrated, at which His Eminence the Metropolitan of Polyanis and Kilkis Mr. Bartholomew presided and preached the divine word, referring to the person of Saint John.

You can watch the Hierarchical Vespers and the sermon of His Eminence by following the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5xMyG1OXQ&list=RDn5xMyG1OXQ&startradio=1

During the night, an All-Night Vigil was held, which culminated in the first Divine Liturgy, which concluded at around 3:00 in the morning of Wednesday.

You can watch the All-Night Vigil by following the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiQnAUjHq14

On the feast day itself, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, His Eminence the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki Mr. Philotheos presided at the sacred service of Orthros, while at the Divine Liturgy His Eminence the Metropolitan of Karystos and Skyros Mr. Seraphim presided, with the other holy Hierarchs concelebrating, and during the Communion Hymn he also preached the divine word, connecting the Feast of the Ascension with the life and way of living of Saint John.

After the Divine Liturgy, the magnificent Holy Procession of the Holy Relic of Saint John took place through the streets of Prokopi, which had been strewn with rose petals, accompanied by the melody of the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Chalcis. Many Priests, Local Authorities — including Members of Parliament from Euboea, the Governor of Central Greece Mr. Fanis Spanos, Deputy Governors and Regional Councilors, the Mayor of Mantoudi-Limni-Ag. Annis Mr. Georgios Tsapourniotis, the General Regional Police Director of Central Greece, Brigadier Mr. Konstantinos Pelekanos, the Commander of the Infantry School of Chalcis, the Police Director of Euboea and other representatives of Local Authorities and Associations, the Emeritus Professor of A.U.Th. Mr. Anestis Keselopoulos, the Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Mr. Isidoros Garyfallakis and his wife Mrs. Maria, and others — participated in the Holy Procession, but above all countless hosts of devout Christians from all corners of the earth.

In the square of Prokopi a Supplication Service was held for the health of all the pilgrims of our Saint, and there His Grace the Bishop of Skiathos Mr. John, who today also celebrates his name day, delivered the festive address of the day, describing how Saint John, through captivity and the martyric confession of his faith, drew near to the Bridegroom of the Church, and how Jesus Christ adorned him with the fragrance of His love.

His Eminence the Metropolitan of Chalcis Mr. Chrysostomos, upon the return of the Holy Procession, expressed his gratitude to all Their Eminences the holy Hierarchs for their presence, to the sacred Clergy and the People for their love and assistance, to the members of the Board of Directors of the Holy Shrine, to the holy Chanters, to the local Authorities for their cooperation in organizing the Feast, to the Radio Stations of the Church of Greece and of our Holy Metropolis (97.7fm), and to the innumerable crowds of pilgrims of the Saint who expressed in the manifest way of their abundant presence their love for Saint John, who runs and hastens to help everywhere.

You can watch the Hierarchical Concelebration and the magnificent Procession by following the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSvW_ln-ZGs

At the Sacred Services, magnificent Choirs of Chanters sang under the direction of Mr. Theodosios Stergiopoulos and Mr. Nikolaos Enotiadis, accompanied by Chanters from throughout the length and breadth of the Holy Metropolis.