Photos: D. Petroyannis, K. Koukouras

On Monday, February 9, and Tuesday, February 10, 2026, our local Church honored the memory of Saint Hieromartyr Charalambos, centering on his eponymous holy Church in Afrati, Chalkida, where, during Vespers, His Grace Bishop of Skopelos Mr. Nikodimos presided, and on the day itself, the Most Reverend Shepherd of our Church, Metropolitan of Chalkida Mr. Chrysostomos, led the sacred services.

On the evening of the eve, February 9, in his sermon, His Grace Mr. Nikodimos referred to the life of Saint Charalambos and emphasized his divinely bestowed strength, so that his age would not hinder his courage and fighting spirit, and the weakness of his body would not prevent him from running towards martyrdom for Christ.

On the feast day itself, February 10, the Most Reverend Mr. Chrysostomos presided at Matins and led the Divine Liturgy, while in his sermon he explained that the saint Charalambos is called a pillar of the Church because he supports the faithful as a shepherd and martyr. Through his Christ-centered life and his martyrdom, he illuminates the world, which was sinking in the utter darkness of idolatry. Indeed, all of this made Saint Charalambos heir to divine adoption, allowing him to declare boldly that he is a child of God and received the grace to address Him as children do their father.

Furthermore, the Most Reverend commemorated the saints celebrated today and, while emphasizing the long life in Christ and courageous witness of Saint Charalambos, he noted that our Holy Church today also commemorates the Christ-believing executioners of the saint, Porphyrios and Bapto, as well as the daughter of the governor, Galini, teaching all Her members that repentance and true faith made the last equal to the first saint of the day.

Then, with pedagogical discretion, the Most Reverend explained to the attending faithful that through repentance, faith, and boldness towards God our Father, we are called to partake in the characteristics of the saints, which he wholeheartedly wished to all, especially to those celebrating their feast today.