For the first time in our Missionary Diocese we celebrated Vespers in honour of Saint Phanourios. It was a special and unique day, as for the first time Saint Phanourios was honoured with Vespers in our Cathedral.
After Vespers we brought into the church the phanouropita, the cake we had prepared in honour of the Saint. The phanouropita was blessed and then offered to the faithful who took part in the service.
At the same time, we spoke to the people about Saint Phanourios: who he was, what we know about his life and martyrdom, and why the pious tradition of our Church links his name to the phanouropita and to the prayer asking the Saint to reveal what is lost or what a person seeks with faith and prayer.
The people’s joy was great. With much love they took the phanouropita and listened with interest to the story and tradition surrounding Saint Phanourios.
We even gave them the recipe for phanouropita, so that anyone who wishes can make it at home and honour the Saint, praying with faith and asking for his help.
It was a beautiful and blessed first presence of Saint Phanourios in our Missionary Diocese, a day full of faith, joy and love, which we hope will be a starting point for veneration of the Saint to take root even more deeply in people’s hearts.
