Corfu, January 19 – The Holy Church of Saint Apollodoros in the Pagkrateika district of Corfu, near the airport, hosted the feast day celebration of Saint Athanasius on Sunday, January 18, 2026. His Eminence Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu, Paxoi and Diapontia Islands presided over the liturgy, emphasizing the enduring importance of dogmatic catechesis in contemporary times.
Metropolitan Nektarios Highlights Doctrinal Truths
During his sermon, Metropolitan Nektarios underscored the necessity of dogmatic catechesis, a concept he noted as often overlooked in modern society. Drawing from the day’s apostolic reading, where Apostle Paul cautioned his compatriots against diverse and foreign teachings-particularly concerning Christ’s resurrection-His Eminence highlighted how people then, as now, could easily succumb to influences that aimed to steer Christians away from spiritual enlightenment.
The Metropolitan stressed that the Holy Fathers dedicated themselves to upholding the true faith, combating heresies and doctrines that sought to corrupt its essence. He cited the Arian heresy, which denied Christ’s divine sonship, asserting instead that He was a mere creation. Saint Athanasius, a pivotal figure at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea alongside Saint Spyridon and Saint Apollodoros, Bishop of Phaeacia, valiantly fought to establish the dogmatic teaching that Christ is indeed the Son of God made man.
Similarly, Saint Cyril waged a comparable battle against Nestorius, who contended that the Virgin Mary was not Theotokos (God-bearer) but Christotokos (Christ-bearer), implying that Christ was not divine. Saint Cyril’s efforts at the Third Ecumenical Council in Ephesus were instrumental in articulating and affirming the truth of the faith.
The Enduring Guidance of the Church Fathers
Metropolitan Nektarios emphasized that the Church Fathers were guided by the Holy Spirit, leading them to infallible teachings and the fullness of truth. He affirmed that within this truth, the Orthodox Church navigates its path, joyfully anticipating the Resurrected Lord to deliver humanity from persecutions and separate the wheat from the chaff. He called for a renewed state of life, as promised by Christ, and urged the faithful to heed the Fathers’ warnings against error.
Lamenting a contemporary return to a form of neo-idolatry-the worship of self, relying solely on personal thoughts and strengths while rejecting God-the Metropolitan noted a trend of people reverting to ancient pagan beliefs, from which Christ liberated them. He reiterated the critical need for the support of the Church Fathers, who fought tirelessly to defend the faith, remaining as luminous stars guiding believers in their lives and struggles.
Concluding his address, Metropolitan Nektarios extended his wishes to the faithful gathered in the small yet beautiful church of Saint Apollodoros, praying for strength, health, and a steadfast journey on the path of faith for the new year.
About the Church and its Significance
The Holy Church of Saint Apollodoros is the most recently constructed church in Corfu Town. It holds Saint Athanasius, Patriarch of Alexandria, as its secondary patron saint, a tradition referred to locally as a ‘moni’.
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