Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu Highlights Virtues of Saint Theodore the Tyro in Divine Liturgy
Corfu, February 17, 2026 – His Eminence Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu, Paxoi and Diapontia Islands presided over the Divine Liturgy at the festive Holy Monastery of Saints Theodore the Tyro and Saint George in the Stratia area of Corfu. The service, held on Tuesday morning, February 17, 2026, honored Saint Theodore the Tyro and included a veneration of his relic.
Concelebrating with His Eminence were Archimandrite Christodoulos Triantafyllos, Abbot of the Holy Monastery and Hierokeryx of the Holy Pilgrimage of Saint Spyridon, Presbyter Ioannis Mourikes, Archdeacon Eusebios Pandis, and Deacon Spyridon Pigis.
Metropolitan’s Sermon: Christian Message in an Era of Madness
In his sermon, Metropolitan Nektarios emphasized that the Christian message emerged during a period of madness, where Roman rulers treated people as mere objects. They failed to comprehend the concept of freedom in Christ, as idolatry did not acknowledge the unique value of the human person. The words of Apostle Paul, “There is neither male nor female, Jew nor Greek, slave nor free,” challenged the prevailing system.
The Metropolitan explained that the Saints of our faith, by following Christ who trampled death and paralyzed the devil’s authority, had a burning desire in their hearts for true love, true freedom, and their identity and roots, as everything was hidden from those who remained subjects of antichrists. Thus, Saint Theodore, despite his enviable position, found his heart inflamed by faith. He disregarded youth, office, and the world, and rejoiced in his martyrdom. He glorified God, just like the three youths in the Old Testament. He felt the exultation of God’s grace because divine grace empowers those who confess their faith and deeply love God.
Contemporary Idolatry and the Call to Rekindle Love
Metropolitan Nektarios drew parallels to the present day, stating that our era has returned to a form of idolatry. He identified the first idol we worship as ourselves, our self-love, which leads to hedonism, ambition, and avarice. He urged the faithful to rekindle their hearts by finding the love that God has given us, the small fragment of love, as Saint Maximus the Confessor says, for love is God. When this love is rekindled by our energy, faith, and invocation, it will grow into a great love for God and our fellow human beings. Love, he stressed, is not sentimentality but sacrifice, as Christ demonstrated on the Cross. These are difficult times for families and youth, when everyone thinks only of themselves and makes no sacrifices for their children or their neighbor. He encouraged everyone to reflect on the power of faith and love and to implore Saint Theodore to bless them with the strength to emulate him.
Youth Participation and Ecclesiastical Recognition
Students from the nearby 7th High School of Corfu also participated in the Divine Liturgy, led by their director, Father Themistoklis Mourtzanos. Metropolitan Nektarios expressed his joy at their presence and wished the children and educators strength in their work, encouraging them to teach children ‘letters, studies, and the things of God.’
At the end of the service, Metropolitan Nektarios tonsured Dimitris Sourvinos, a young chanter from a pious family who has been an active member of the Church and a chanter at the Monastery since childhood, as a Reader.
Metropolitan Nektarios extended his gratitude to Abbot Father Christodoulos Triantafyllos for his efforts in renovating the monastery, as well as to the chanters and the faithful who, despite the challenging weather conditions, participated en masse in the celebration.
Source: ekklisiaonline.gr
