In the joyous atmosphere of the Holy Twelfth Day, the city of Paralimni in the free part of the province of Famagusta, celebrates together with the entire Orthodox Christian world, the great Despotic feast of the Circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ and the memory of one of its great fathers Church, of Agios Basilios Archbishop of Caesarea of Cappadocia, Archangel of the Great.
This spiritual joy, however, is double for the local church as on this day the septs of the denomination are led by its priest, His Holiness Metropolitan of Constantia and Famagusta Mr. Vasileios.
On the morning of Sunday, January 1, 2023, an Archpriestly mass was held at the Metropolitan Church of Agios Georgios in Paralimni, pre-eminent celebrant Metropolitan and co-celebrant of His Eminence Metropolitan of Kiti, Mr. Nektarios.
The archdeacon of the Holy Metropolis took part. Augustinos Kkaras and the priesthood of the temple.
During the social hour, a pastoral encyclical of His Holiness was read, which referred to the spiritual meaning of the holiday.
Among other things, he notes that "the unprecedented in history incarnation of the Son and Word of God by the Virgin and Theotokos Mary, which a few days ago the whole Christian world celebrated, or even the feast of the Circumcision that we celebrate today, are two examples of the entrance of eternal and timeless Word of God in history, to lead us out of the corruption of time, to lead us to timeless eternity with his Resurrection".
Finally, he wished "the grace and blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ through the embassies of the Great Vasilii to accompany everyone in the beginning of the new year 2023 and may it be the year of vindication and freedom of our Homeland".
After the end of the Divine Liturgy, the doxology for the first of the year was sung and then a procession was formed to the Great Synod of the Metropolis, where the king's pie was blessed and the polychronism of the celebrating Metropolitan of Constantia was chanted.
On behalf of those present, the floor was taken by His Eminence the Metropolitan of Kiti, Mr. Nektarios, who, interpreting the feelings of everyone, wished health and long life to our pastor and that God would claim him to soon return and settle in the natural seat of the Metropolis of Constantia, in the much-loved and unforgettable Famagusta.
The Holy Liturgy was attended by the Mayor of Paralimni Theodoros Pyrillis, Community Leaders of the Greater Famagusta District, the President of the E.E.K.A. Michalis Tziortas, the Commander of the 7th Motorized Infantry Brigade, Brigadier General Konstantinos Kalos, the Police Director of Famagusta, Senior Police Officer A' Georgios Economou, the former Minister Mr. Takis Pelekanos and a crowd of believers.
Afterwards, the Most Blessed Archbishop of Cyprus Mr. George accompanied by the Bishop of Karpasia Christophoros, the Exarch of the Holy Sepulcher in Cyprus Metropolitan Timotheus of Vostro, the enthologising Archon Hymnodist of the MCHE Christos Psalters, clergy and laity arrived at the Holy Metropolis to wish His Holiness.
Source: Holy Metropolis of Constantia - Famagusta