THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FIRST MARTYR THECLA THE EQUAL TO THE APOSTLES AT THE PATRIARCHATE

On Thursday 24 September/7 October 2021, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast of the Holy First Martyr Thecla, the Equal to the Apostles, at the holy chapel dedicated to her, inside the central Monastery of the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood.

On this feast, the Church honours Saint Thecla, who came from Ikonion of Asia Minor and was taught the truth about Christ by Saint Paul at the age of eighteen. She followed Saint Paul and preached Christ in many areas and suffered a lot for Him, before concluding her life in her hometown at the age of ninety.

In honour of Saint Thecla, Vespers on Wednesday afternoon and the Divine Liturgy on Thursday morning were observed by the ministering Priests of the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen, under the lead of the Typikon Keeper and caretaker of the Chapel, Archimandrite Alexios. His Holy Beatitude was present in prayer, along with the Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and the other Fathers. The chanting was delivered on the right by the Byzantine choir leader of the central monastery, Archimandrite Eusevios and Mr Gotsopoulos, and on the left by Hierodeacon Simeon and Archimandrite Artemios. The Services were attended by many faithful.

After Vespers, according to the custom, boiled wheat with wine and dry bread were offered at the courtyard of the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen.

After the morning Liturgy, boiled wheat and refreshments were offered at the Epitropikon, and His Beatitude wished everybody “many happy returns, in health and blessings, by the prayers of Saint Thecla”.

From Secretariat-General