On the 26th of August, the service of Vespers was held in honor of the glorious New Martyr Fanourios the Wonderworker at the historic Holy Church of Saint Savvas in Old Nicosia, which is also the seat of the Ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria in Cyprus, after it was given to him by His Beatitude Chrysostomos, Archbishop of Cyprus.
The Vespers was officiated by His Beatitude Theodoros II Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, with the participation of Nikodemos, Bishop of Nitria, thee Abbot of the Monastery of Apostle Barnabas, Archimandrite Ioannis and other members of clergy.
The presence of many believers who turned to the Saint’s grace, lighting candles and offering their gifts, the traditional Fanouropita, to the Saint and referring to him as their beloved Fanourios, was moving.
The Holy Church of Saint Savvas honors this great martyr of our Church, since a miraculous icon of Saint Fanourius was found among the other grace-giving relics, which attracts pilgrims throughout the year who offer their requests to this miraculous Saint.
During the Vespers service, His Beatitude addressed the faithful, referring to both the miraculous icon of the saint and his holy life, and his constant prayer for all of us in times of distress, need and pain.
“Every Fanouropita represents someone’s pain, a tear, a request, a joy, a hope to Saint Fanourios who is constantly with us and protects us. 200 and 300 pages may have been written on the lives of other saints, however, we know very little about Saint Fanourios’ earthly life but we still keep him in our hearts, just like Saint George, from one end of the Earth to the other, from Australia to Canada, from America to South Africa, his icon is honored and venerated by thousands of people and this is proof that he is indeed a great saint in our consciousness”.
Before the dismissal of Vespers, His Beautitude read the prayer of Saint Fanourios and blessed the many Fanouropites which were offered by those who were celebrating the feast. The service was completed by the procession of the Saint’s icon around the Church and with the distribution of Fanouropita.
