At the disposal of the world for performance weddings and baptisms the Holy Chapel of Agia Sophia and Saint Luke is immediately placed in the OPAP Arena, the Tyrannoixia of which took place on Monday afternoon (29/5).
In fact, the first candle in the holy temple was lit by himself Dimitris Melissanidis (who was visibly moved). As the PAE AEK underlined in its relevant announcement, where it also focused on the timeless relationship of the “Union” with the Church for almost a century.
In detail, the announcement of PAE AEK:
“The opening of the doors of the Holy Chapel, which is located in the building of the northern entrance of the OPAP ARENA and is honored in the name of God Sophia and our Holy and God-bearing Father Luke in Sterio, was performed with splendor. The Mass of Thyranoixia was performed by the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Nea Ionia, Philadelphia, Heraklion and Chalkidon, Mr. Gavriel, and the administration of PAE AEK, headed by Dimitris Melissanidis, was present.
Today’s date was not chosen by chance for this historic ceremony, as it is the 570th anniversary of the fall of the city. Dimitris Melissanidis had the honor of lighting the first candle himself, cheered by the multitude of people who flooded the areas around the chapel and who participated in the opening ceremony, but also in the Divine Liturgy that followed.
The Most Reverend Metropolitan Mr. Gavriel emphasized, among other things: “There is no greater honor and blessing for a person to be able to found holy temples, places where the holy mysteries are finalised, with the first being the mystery of the Holy Eucharist, the Divine Liturgy.” Today, therefore, the president of AEK, our dear Dimitrios Melissanidis, having played a course of pains, struggles, sorrows, but above all of perseverance, faith and courage, completed the construction of the historical site of the AEK stadium in New Philadelphia, bringing in this space trophies, victories, pride, pride and historical cohesion and collectiveness. From the first moment – and I am translating the words, which he shared with me who honors me with his friendship and with the relationship that distinguishes us – he said I want to make the temple of Agia Sophia and Agia Loukas in this place, to make in space, a chapel, to connect with the roots that our group has, with the roots that this historical association has with Orthodoxy, with our faith. I want to tell my dear President to be worthy. Congratulations president!”
The Tyranoixia ceremony came to confirm the close and timeless relationship of AEK with the Church for almost a century. In 1926, the blessed Patriarch of Constantinople Constantine VI, exiled in Greece, appealed to the then prime minister of Greece, Eleftherios Venizelos, so that AEK could acquire the space in New Philadelphia. The Holy Church of the Holy Trinity of New Philadelphia was to be established there (a copy of the historical Holy Church of the Holy Trinity in Peran Constantinople) and the old stadium of AEK and recently the OPAP ARENA were to be built there.
The ceremony was honored, among others, with the presence of the Mayor of Nea Philadelphia-Nea Chalkidonos Yiannis Vouros and the former Deputy Minister of Health Mrs. Zoi Rapti, while the Board of Directors of the AEK Veterans’ Association also attended.
The chapel of Agia Sophia and Saint Luke is now officially in operation and is waiting for the friends of AEK to visit it and choose it for weddings and baptisms».
Source: Sport Fm
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