Στην Σλοβακία τίμησαν τον Όσιο Αθανάσιο (Χαμακιώτη)

On Sunday 17.11.2024, His Eminence the Metropolitan of Michalovce and Košice, Juraj, went to the village of Markovce in the Michalovce district of Slovakia, to celebrate together with the local Orthodox Roma the arrival of a portion of the holy relic of the newly revealed Saint of our Church, our Venerable and God-bearing Father Athanasios of Amarousion. It is a precious gift from His Eminence the Metropolitan of Kifisia, Amarousion and Oropos, Kyrillos, to the Church of Michalovce and Košice in Slovakia.

At the parish Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Markovce (where a small relic of St Reginos, Bishop of Skopelos, is kept permanently in the shrine), His Eminence George concelebrated the Immortal Mysteries of the Saviour with Fr. Martin Halík, who was recently ordained and is now the priest in charge of the church community, and with Fr. Viliam Fencik, protodeacon of the Metropolitan Church of Michalovce.

It should be noted that the village priest, Fr. Martin, and his wife have been devoted for several years to spiritual and educational work with the marginalised Roma communities of Slovakia. Already in the 5 months they have been in Markovce, many results of their work can be seen, glory to God. Several boys serve in the altar, and a large children's choir of Roma sings in the church.

Speaking of St Athanasios, the Metropolitan of Michalovce pointed out, among other things, the Saint's tireless charitable service and spiritual joy. Through the intercessions of the sanctified Papa of Neratziotissa, may our Lord give us these every day.

Finally, His Eminence wished many years, good and blessed, to Fr. Martin, the parish priest of the church, because earlier that same morning his fourth child had been born.