As it does every year, the beautifully decorated little church of Saint Nicholas in the remote village of Antikythira solemnly and reverently commemorated the annual anniversary of the transfer of the Holy Relics of the Saint of the Seas, which took place in 1087 A.D., when Italian clergy transported the Holy Relics from Myra in Lycia to Bari, Italy, traveling through the Aegean and Ionian Seas.
The Divine Services held over the two days of May 19 and 20 were presided over by the local bishop, His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira and Antikythira, together with the Most Reverend Archimandrite Father Palamas Kyrillidis, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos in Kallipetra, Veroia, with the canonical permission of His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veroia, Naoussa, and Kampania.
The church was decked out with naval flags, donated by national benefactor Mr. Panos Laskaridis, and with the sanctifying grace of a fragment of the myrrh-streaming relic of St. Nicholas—which Panos, Archimandrite of the IAA, Father Michael Stathakis, had donated to the island years ago— the sacred services were held with the participation of residents and visitors to the island, as well as the large team conducting the underwater archaeological research at the famous Antikythera Shipwreck, who sought the blessing of the Saint of the Seas. Also present was the Mayor of Kythira and Antikythera, Mr. Efstratios Charchalakis, who, together with Mr. Andreas Charchalakis (former President of the Antikythira Community), oversees the Holy Temple in accordance with a family tradition.
His Eminence preached the Word of God with great insight, referring both to the messages of the feast of Mid-Pentecost and to the life of Saint Nicholas, who, as he said, “is a universal saint, honored throughout the world.”.
A lavish festive reception followed outside the church.
May Saint Nicholas be a helper and protector of our islands, our sailors, and the whole world.
Eustratios Ath. Charhalakis
