The pilgrimage Church of St. Luke the Surgeon, Levkakia, Argolidos (outside Nafplion), Greece (source)
With religious formality and grandeur, the consecration of the Holy Church dedicated to St. Luke the Surgeon, Archbishop of Simferopol in Nafplion on Saturday April 29th, 2017.
The celebrations began the afternoon of Friday April 28th, with the reception of the Holy Relics, and the celebration of the hierarchical vespers. Immediately afterwards was the opening of the museum in honor of St. Luke the Surgeon.
The day of the consecration on Saturday April 29th, Ieronymos Archbishop of Greece and a multitude of hierarchs celebrated the consecration of the church and the Divine Liturgy.
Archbishop of Greece Ieronymos (right), and Metropolitan Nektarios of Argolidos (left), celebrating the consecration of the church of St. Luke on April 29th, 2017 (source)
On April 27th 2014 was the laying of the cornerstone. The Church was finished the spring of 2017 on the occasion of the 140th birthday of St. Luke (April 27th 1877).
This holy pilgrimage of St. Luke was in large part due to the inspiration of Metropolitan Nektarios of Argolidos, who was the one responsible for first translating the life of St. Luke into Greek, helping to spread his veneration throughout Greece. Many churches have been built in St. Luke's honor, many churches and monasteries treasure portions of his holy relics, many icons of the saint adorn churches in Greece, and many thousands have benefitted from the Saint's speedy help.
Not even two weeks passed since Metropolitan Nektarios' enthronement in Argolidos, when completely unexpectedly appeared Ioannis Saoulides (of Greco-Russian descent), and his children George and Demetrios, who live and work in St. Petersburg, but who also have ties with Argolida, and who are discerned for their piety and deep faith.
They took it upon themselves totally to build the Church of St. Luke.
The Holy Church of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple Levkakion offered the space in the area called "Kritharaki", and on April 27th, 2014, the cornerstone was laid.
The beautiful Byzantine and Russian hybrid design of the church and its iconography (source)
The church architecture, iconostasis with its icons, and bells are all Russian in design, creating a beautiful and unique hybrid of Russian and Byzantine design to the church. Below the church is a museum dedicated to St. Luke, with many articles and pictures from his life.
According to the Metropolis website, the pilgrimage church is open daily from 7:30AM to 8PM to those who wish to venerate the Saint, with daily Divine Liturgies beginning at 7:30AM. Also, every Tuesday and Thursday, Vespers and Paraklesis to St. Luke are served beginning at 6PM, and the first Wednesday of every month the Mystery of Holy Unction is celebrated at 6PM.
(source)
The beautiful icon of St. Luke the Surgeon, adorning his church in Nafplion, painted in Russia (Source)
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!
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