The 5th Clergy Assembly of the Diocese of Constantia-Famagusta has been completed

The Ninth Clergy Assembly of the Holy Metropolis of Constantia and Famagusta was held with great success, on Sunday, May 10, 2015, at the Metropolitan Church of Agios Georgios in Paralimni. The Assembly is the focus of the celebrations for the memory of Agios Epiphanius, patron saint of the Diocese of Constantia.

The Assembly was attended by the Most Venerable Metropolitan of Constantia and Famagusta Mr. Vassilios, His Eminence the Metropolitan of Veria, Naoussa and Campania Mr. Panteleimon, who was also the keynote speaker, Clergy of the Metropolis of Constantia, representatives of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners of the Parishes and Communities of the Diocese of Constantia, the Coordinating Committee and the Members of the Christian Women's Associations, Catechists of the Diocese of Famagusta or their representatives, officials, officials and other officials.

It should be noted that the Clergy Assembly has now become an institution for the Diocese of Constantia and the free area of ​​Famagusta in general and is an inspirational initiative of the Most Venerable Metropolitan of Constantia and Famagusta Mr. Vassilios. The purpose of the Clergy Assembly is the development, strengthening and strengthening of the ties between the Diocese and its flock, and especially the strengthening of the relations between the clergy and the laity. Clergy and people constitute the body of the Church and co-exist towards the attainment of salvation in Christ. The clergy have the special gift of the priesthood and serve the faithful people of God. Believers have the general priesthood, which they receive by baptism, is the "kingdom priesthood", without which the Church does not exist.

The Assembly began with a greeting from the Honorable Mayor of Paralimni, Mr. Theodoros Pyrillis, who stressed the importance of the Assembly and the work of the Diocese in general for the free area of ​​Famagusta.

It should be noted that the ED Clergy Assembly also marked the end of the catechism period, as well as the meetings of the Christian Women's Associations. Therefore, the head of the Catechism Movement of the Metropolis of Constantia, Fr. Christos Koulendros, addressed the Assembly. Father Christos made a review of the past year and thanked all his Catechists for their cooperation. He also thanked the Most Venerable Metropolitan of Constantia Mr. Vassilios, who is always by the side of the Catholic Schools. On behalf of the Christian Women's Associations, the President of the Coordinating Committee of the Associations, Ms. Militsa Mavroudi, addressed a greeting, referring to the work, action and role of the Associations in the Church and society. He thanked Panierotatos for his support and the Protosyggelos of the Diocese of Constantia, Archimandrite Augustinos Kkaras.

The Most Venerable Metropolitan of Constantia and Famagusta, Mr. Vassilios, also addressed a greeting. Panierotatos praised the importance of the Clergy Assembly and thanked everyone for their presence. He stressed the importance of the presence of the holy image of Panagia Soumela and thanked His Eminence the Metropolitan of Veria for his positive response and his presence here. He also stressed that the Clergy Assembly is an opportunity for introspection as to whether we have responded positively to God's call. He also thanked the Priests of the Diocese, the Associates, the Catechists and the Members of the Throne Committee of the Diocese. Panierotatos also made a very brief reference to the work of the Diocese of Constantia.

The keynote address of the XNUMXth Clergy Assembly of the Diocese of Constantia was entitled: "The value of icons in the Orthodox Church". The speaker is His Eminence the Metropolitan of Veria, Naoussa and Campania, Mr. Panteleimon. His Holiness referred from time immemorial to the honor of the sacred icons in the Church and in particular to Orthodoxy. He made a brief reference to the iconoclasm, which plagued the Church for a century. He stressed that the value of the image goes to the person depicted. His Holiness, starting from the Bible and the Fathers, analyzed the theology of the image. Finally, he made a brief reference to the historical icon of Panagia Soumela.

After the end of the Assembly and the exchange of souvenirs, a reception followed in the courtyard of the church.