The beginning of the veneration of the Holy and Miraculous Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Axion Esti” in the Sacred City of Messolonghi was marked by a large حضور of faithful, who hastened with reverence to honor the grace of the Virgin Mary from the very first day.
On the morning of Friday, May 1, 2026, at the Metropolitan Church of Saint Spyridon, the Matins Service and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy were celebrated, presided over by Metropolitan Damaskinos of Aetolia and Acarnania, with the participation of Athonite Fathers and clergy from the Holy Metropolis as well as other Metropolises.
Members of the Holy Community of Mount Athos also took part in the Divine Liturgy, led by the Protos, Elder Abraham Lavriotis. Among the distinguished attendees were Mr. Athanasios Martinos, Archon Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and former Civil Governor of Mount Athos, and the Deputy Governor of Mount Athos, Mr. Aristeos Kasmiroglou.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a special ceremony was held at the Trikoupio Cultural Center of the Sacred City of Messolonghi, during which the Protos of Mount Athos, Elder Abraham Lavriotis, was proclaimed an Honorary Citizen of the city.
The event began with the Byzantine Choir of the Metropolitan Church of Saint Spyridon, under the direction of Protopsaltis Aristovoulos–Dimitrios Mastrosopyros, who performed appropriate hymns. This was followed by the reading of the official decision of the Municipal Council by its President, Mrs. Georgia Founta, and an address by the Mayor of the Sacred City, Mr. Spyridon Diamantopoulos. In his response, the Protos expressed his gratitude for the honor, emphasizing that it is primarily attributed to the Most Holy Theotokos and Mount Athos.
On the sidelines of the visit, the delegation of the Holy Community toured the temporary exhibition titled “Messolonghi of the World,” which featured significant works of art—mainly philhellenic iconography—from Greece and abroad, as well as historical artifacts from public and private collections. A highlight of the exhibition was the original painting “The Exodus of Messolonghi” by Theodoros Vryzakis.
Subsequently, the Holy Community visited the Center of Word and Art “Diexodos,” where they were warmly welcomed by its founder, Mr. Nikolaos Kordosis, and guided through the anniversary dual exhibition “The Free Besieged,” hosted at the Historical Museum “Diexodos.”
In the afternoon, the delegation of Mount Athos visited the Salt Museum and toured the Messolonghi Lagoon, experiencing the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the area.
