Relics of Saint George of Neapolis Transferred to New Church

by · Greek City Times

Thousands of faithful gathered in Nea Ionia on Monday evening for the official transfer of the incorrupt sacred relics of Saint George of Neapolis to a newly built church at the Ionian Centre, marking a significant event for the local Church and the descendants of Asia Minor refugees.

 

The relics of the Asia Minor saint, who serves as the patron saint of the Metropolis of Nea Ionia, Philadelphia, Heraklion and Chalcedon, had been kept at the Church of Saint Efstathios. A large procession carried them to the new church, built in his honour within the Ionian Centre complex.

Hundreds of people of all ages followed the procession along the route. A philharmonic band and student contingents from Nea Ionia schools accompanied the procession, while crowds lined Heraklion Avenue to pay their respects.

The transfer marks a historic milestone for the local Church and the wider community of Asia Minor descendants. The new church will become the saint’s permanent home, fulfilling a decades-long wish to preserve and highlight the spiritual heritage of the Asia Minor Greeks in their new homeland.

Read more: Relics Of Saint George to Move to New Church in Nea Ionia

Clergy welcomed the relics when they arrived at the Ionian Centre, followed by the ceremony marking the opening of the new church. Among those attending the religious services was Labour and Social Security Minister Niki Kerameus, alongside representatives of local government.

Large crowds continued to attend the celebrations throughout the solemn episcopal Vespers service.

The festivities will reach their peak on Tuesday, 3 November, the saint’s feast day. The first solemn episcopal Divine Liturgy will take place in the newly built church in the morning. At 7pm, the Ionian Centre will host a special commemorative event in its Culture and Youth Hall, also marking the official opening of the new multi-purpose facility. The centre aims to become a hub for culture, historical memory and community activities in the wider area.

The history of Saint George and the journey of his relics to Greece

Saint George was a priest from Neapolis in Asia Minor, now known in Turkish as Nevşehir. He served at the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary in his hometown and earned a reputation for his piety, integrity and devotion to Christian teachings. He served his congregation with humility, gentleness, justice and selfless love.

In 1797, Christians from Malakopi, a village about six hours from Neapolis, invited him to celebrate the Divine Liturgy for a major feast because their own priest was ill. Another account says he had sought refuge there to escape persecution by people of another faith.

As he approached Malakopi, at a place called Kompia-Dere, meaning “ravine”, local shepherds attacked him. They robbed and tortured him before beheading him.

The faithful later found his sacred relics intact and incorrupt, giving off a fragrant scent. According to the account, a devout widow discovered them after experiencing a vision. The relics were initially kept at the home of the saint’s fellow priest, Neophytos. After Neophytos died, they moved to the parish church in Neapolis.

The Metropolitans of Caesarea, Paisios, Kleovoulos and Ioannis, visited Neapolis frequently, venerated the relics and recognised the saint’s spiritual grace and miraculous power.

Following the Asia Minor Catastrophe, the relics came to Greece in 1924 as part of the population exchange. Archimandrite Ignatios, then parish priest of Neapolis, arranged their transfer. The relics were placed at the Church of Saint Efstathios in Perissos, Attica.

In 1952, the monk Gerasimos Mikragiannanitis, a hymnographer of the Great Church of Christ, composed the liturgical service in honour of Saint George the New Hieromartyr.

Metropolitan Gabriel: Ionian Centre belongs to everyone

In comments to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionia, Philadelphia, Heraklion and Chalcedon described the Ionian Centre as a vision brought to life and a reflection of the Church’s mission to remain close to people.

He said the centre combines worship, education, culture and historical memory, while remaining closely connected to the refugee identity and heritage of the Asia Minor Greeks.

At its heart stands the new church dedicated to Saint George of Neapolis, the patron and protector of the Metropolis.

Metropolitan Gabriel said the official transfer of the relics would take place on Monday, followed by the church-opening ceremony and Vespers for the saint’s feast day. He added that President of the Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas would attend the first Divine Liturgy on Tuesday morning.

He described the Ionian Centre as an open and welcoming space for everyone, offering green space and opportunities for cultural, educational and social activities.

“The Ionian Centre belongs to all citizens, without exclusion,” he said, adding that cooperation between the Church and the state could deliver projects with a lasting social and cultural impact.

He described the centre as a legacy for future generations that honours the past, serves the present and builds the future.

(Source: AMNA)

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