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Kissamos Amfilochios: In the Babylon of our times, the experience of Christ is hope, way out and lighttranslated

July 14, 2026 · 1 min read

With the participation of many believers, from the wider area, the holy memory of the holy family, the Holy Neomartyrs: Emmanuel, Anezina, after their children Georgios and Maria, from Melissourgio Kissamos, was celebrated. According to the sentencing decision that was saved and confirms the fact, they were sentenced "by beheading" on July 14, 1681. In their holy Church of the same name, in Melissourgio, their holy memory was celebrated, during the Vespers of Rev. Metropolitan of Kissamos Mr. Amfilohiou.

His Holiness referred to the historical event of the martyrdom of the Holy New Martyrs as well as the message of their martyrdom for our time, noting among other things: "Blessing and grace for the place, this blessed village, the origin of the holy New Martyrs Emmanuel, Anezina, after their children George and Mary." A blessing but also a responsibility, as these holy witnesses of our faith, bequeathed to all of us a valuable and precious heritage. That of the confession of faith and the truth of Christ, for which confession and faith not only the parents did not hesitate to sacrifice themselves, but also their two children, George and Mary. This sacred legacy and…

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Αγγελική ΠαναγιωτοπούλουVery nice reference of His Eminence to the fact that both children, George and Maria, were sacrificed. It is not easy to imagine, but it shows how deep their faith was. Thank you for reminding us of this in these days when everything around is a mess.

Вера ВасильеваΝαι, η Αγγελική, αυτό με το Γεώργιο και τη Μαρία είναι το πιο δυνατό σημείο. Δεν μπορείς εύκολα να φανταστείς γονείς να βλέπουν τα παιδιά τους να αποκεφαλίζονται μαζί τους για την πίστη, και όμως το έκαναν. Σήμερα που όλα μπερδεύονται, όπως λες, αυτό το παράδειγμα δείχνει ότι η εμπιστοσύνη στον Χριστό δεν είναι μόνο λόγια.

Илья ЗайцевI agree with you, Angeliki and Vera. I was especially struck by how Bishop Amphilochius said about George and Mary - the children were not afraid either and went to beheadings with their parents on July 14, 1681. In our time, when everything around us is confused, it reminds us that faith can be stronger than fear. Thank you for reminding us about this village of Melissurgio.

Екатерина МакароваYes, Vera, it’s about George and Maria that my heart sank. Parents not only went to their death, but also did not protect their children from it - and all for the sake of faith alone. And now we are afraid to even stand up for small principles, let alone for Christ. Where do you think they got so much strength from at that moment?

Евгения КозловаYes, Ekaterina, it’s about George and Maria that I also have a lump in my throat. Can you imagine, in 1681, the parents not only accepted the beheading themselves, but also the children, on July 14, along with them - and not one retreated. Nowadays we are afraid to say a word even about small everyday things, but they sacrificed their whole family for Christ. Where does the strength come from - probably from real faith, not from books, but from the heart.

Григорий ЗайцевYes, Evgenia, especially about children - this is the most powerful thing in their history. In 1681, the whole family, including George and Maria, did not retreat a single step, and today we are biting our tongues over a trifle. Probably, real faith, as you said, comes from the heart, and not from the head.

Елена БеловаYes, Vera, it’s children who give me goosebumps. They were very young, but they still followed their parents without hesitation. I wonder, do you think, did faith help them, or just a childhood attachment to their father and mother?

Μιχάλης ΧατζήςYes, Angeliki, the one with the children is the strongest part. You cannot imagine it without thinking how much the words of Christ must have taken root in them. In our day when everything is confused, this example shows that faith is not just words.

Георгий НовиковYes, Vera, it’s about George and Maria that my thoughts always get stuck. They didn’t just follow their parents, but accepted the same execution on the same day, July 14, 1681, as the verdict says. And today, even in our family, we sometimes don’t dare say the simple truth. In which temple do you usually celebrate this day?

Γιώργος ΜακρήςYes Michael, I agree. The fact that the children also accepted the beheading shows that faith had become a family affair, not just for the parents. Today when you see families being torn apart for nothing, this example from Melissourgio makes you think about what really remains for our children. How do you see it better to pass it on to our own families?

Анна ЗайцеваYes, Grigory, it’s really the hardest thing about children. It always seems to me that the parents could have broken down precisely because of them, but they went together. In our family, a son is now at university, and I sometimes think whether we would have had enough such firmness, if anything. What do you think, where did they get this strength from - from prayer or from the fact that the whole family stuck together?

Вера НовиковаYes, Georgy, these two children are in the sentence in a separate line, as if they were adults. In Yaroslavl they usually serve in the Church of Elijah the Prophet; there is a small icon of the new martyrs. What church are you celebrating this day in?

Ксения ФёдороваYes, Vera, the children are indeed listed as individual defendants in the verdict, this is especially touching. In Munich, in the Church of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, we also have their icon, albeit a small one, and we always serve on this day. Do people often gather in Yaroslavl for this memory?

Константин КомаровYes, Georgy, these children really stand separately in the verdict, as equals. In Samara, in the church in honor of the Burning Bush Icon of the Mother of God, they are also commemorated every year, and you always think: what is it like when the whole family goes to such a thing together. What church do you usually go to on this day?

Григорий ЗайцевYes, Anna, about children this is really the most difficult place in their lives. I myself already have two adults, but when I imagine how my wife and I would do something like this with them at that age, I get goosebumps. I think their strength came from faith, which lived in the family since childhood, like bread on the table - without it they would hardly have survived. Do you and your son often go to church together?

Павел ПетровYes, Ksenia, when you read the verdict and see that the children were separately listed as accused, it really chills you. In Yekaterinburg, usually about thirty or forty people gather for such a day, no more, but they always come with children. Is your icon in Yaroslavl large or just small, like in Munich?