Corfu, January 17 – On Friday afternoon, January 16, 2026, His Eminence Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu, Paxoi, and Diapontia Islands blessed the traditional Vasilopita at the offices of the local Church. The ceremony was attended by clergy and lay collaborators of the Holy Metropolis, to whom Metropolitan Nektarios extended his best wishes for the new year.
Emphasis on Missionary and Social Work
During the blessing, Metropolitan Nektarios underscored the importance of the collaborators’ efforts, highlighting their integral role within the missionary and social work of the ecclesiastical tradition. He stressed that their dedication is crucial for the re-evangelization of the world, especially in a spiritually barren era.
The Metropolitan emphasized that cooperation within the offices requires unity and love, forming the foundation for the bishop’s ongoing struggle. He acknowledged the vital support of his collaborators, both clergy and laity, in ensuring that the Metropolis’s administration functions not as a bureaucratic mechanism but as a point of genuine connection with people in need of the Church’s ministry.
Gratitude and Acknowledgment
Metropolitan Nektarios expressed his sincere gratitude to his team for their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment. He noted their significant contributions in enabling the Metropolis to effectively serve the community and address the various issues faced by its members.
In response, Protopresbyter Themistoklis Mourtzanos, the General Archieratic Commissioner of the Holy Metropolis, spoke on behalf of the collaborators. He extended wishes for many fruitful years to Metropolitan Nektarios, acknowledging him as a true father figure to all his collaborators, both clerical and lay.
The Lucky Coin and Future Endeavors
The lucky coin, traditionally baked into the Vasilopita, was found in the piece belonging to Mr. Konstantinos Trivizas, a collaborator of the Communication and Educational Foundation of the local Church.
This annual tradition serves as a moment of reflection and renewal for the Metropolis, reinforcing the bonds between its leadership and staff as they continue their dedicated service to the community of Corfu, Paxoi, and the Diapontia Islands.
The event concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to the spiritual and social mission of the Church in the region.
Source: https://www.startmediacorfu.gr/i-evlogia-tis-vasilopitas-ton-grafeion-tis-mitropolis-tis-kerkyras/
