In a special atmosphere of spiritual joy, during the two days of December 8
and 9, 2023, the Holy Metropolis of Pisidia honored, according to the Julian
calendar, Saint Alypios the Stylite, in the holy church of the same name in
Antalya.
The celebrations began the day before with the solemn vigil and ended on the
feast day with the Divine Liturgy, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan
Andreas of Arkalochori, Kastelli and Viannos, with as concelebrants His
Eminence the local Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, and his auxiliary bishop, His
Excellency Bishop Amvrosios of Eudociada, with the participation of the clergy
and many faithful from the parishes of Antalya, Side and Alanya. Also present
was the Consul General of Ukraine in Antalya, Mr. Alexander Voronin.
The visiting Metropolitan Andreas of Arkalochori, Professor of the Faculty of
Theology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, expressing his joy to be
present in the historic city of Antalya, addressed an edifying homily to the
congregation.
After the Divine Liturgy, a concert of liturgical hymns and
popular songs was given by the parish choir under the direction of Mrs. Lidia
Maslova.
Then, a friendly festive meal was served to all participants.
The holy church of Saint Alypios the Stylite was erected in the heart of the old
city in 1844 by brothers Eustratios and Ephraim Daniiloglou as a family
chapel. It returned to the possession of the Church when it was purchased in
2011 by the Ecumenical Patriarchate thanks to the action of Metropolitan
Sotirios of Pisidia of blessed memory. It is the first church that since then
began to function permanently within the Holy Metropolis of Pisidia, meeting
the spiritual needs of the thousands of Orthodox Christians who live in the
Antalya region, celebrating daily liturgical services and other holy mysteries.
