Holy Metropolis of Petra: Festive Events for the 200th Anniversary of Saint Maria of Methylopoula

The Holy Metropolis of Petra and Chersonissos is organizing liturgical events to honour the 200th anniversary of the martyrdom of the glorious New Martyr Saint Maria of Methylopoula, in her place of origin and spiritual struggle, Fourni Merambellou, over the two-day period of 30 April and 1 May.
During the sacred services, holy relics of the Four New Martyrs of Rethymno will be venerated, which will be brought by the Metropolitan of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, Mr. Prodromos, on the evening before the feast. After the Vespers service, a lecture will be delivered by physician and missionary Fr. Evangelos Papanikolaou, on the topic: “The New Martyrology.”
On the main feast day, a polyhierarchical Divine Liturgy will be celebrated, presided over by the Archbishop of Crete, Mr. Evgenios, followed by a procession through the streets of Fourni.
The services will be accompanied by the choir of the School of Byzantine Music of the Holy Metropolis of Petra and Chersonissos, under the direction of its director, the Archon Hymnographer of the Great Church of Christ, Mr. Antonios Plaitis.
In addition, on Sunday 3 May at 6:30 p.m., a concert of the Metropolis’ School of Byzantine Music will take place at the Holy Metropolitan Church of the Great Panagia in Neapolis. Diplomas will be awarded to the students, followed by a lecture by the Protosyncellus Archimandrite Emmanouil Katsaros on the topic: “Study on the Life of Saint Maria of Methylopoula.”
The faithful are invited to attend these events and honour the memory of the Holy New Martyr Maria, a devout daughter of the Merambello land.