Holy Metropolis of Kitros, Katerini & Platamonas
The Holy Metropolis of Kitros, Katerini and Platamonas pertain to the oldest and most important bishopric of the Christian and Greco-Roman Empire. According to archaeological research, the Holy Metropolis was founded at the beginning of the 5th Century. Initially, it came under the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome.
From its foundation until the 7th century it belonged to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Bishop of Thessaloniki was at the top of the hierarchy, followed by the Bishop of Kitros (10th century). Afterwards (15th century) the Bishop of Kitros was named as the "Superior and Revered of Thessalia". During the years of Turkish domination, many scholar prelates and national martyrs were Bishops of Kitros. One of them was the national martyr Meletios Kyriakos the First (1821) and another was Nikolaos Lousis the First. Lousis was the pioneer of the Liberation Movement in Macedonia (1878).
During the years 1904 to 1933, when the Bishop was Parthenios Vardakas, Katerini was Liberated (16-10-1912) During the course of these years, and specifically in 1928, the Holy Metropolis belonged to the "Direct government of the Holy Orthodox and autonomous Greek Church". Nowadays, only the Prefecture of Pieria pertains to the Holy Metropolis of Kitros. The territory of Pieria includes 79 parish Churches, 5 Churches which are accommodated within institutions, 138 Chapels and 33 cemeteries with their chapels. In the Hagiology (the book in which all the saints are mentioned) of the Orthodox Church, two local saints are honoured. These are Saint Alexandros in Pydna (14th of March) and Saint Dionisos in Olympus (23rd of January).
Administration:
- Metropolitan Bishop of Kitros, Katerini and Platamonas The Right Reverend Agathonikos (since 24-11-1985).
- Address: Metropolis of Katerini, 60100, Katerini.
- Tel. Numbers: 23510-23512, 45085 Fax: 23510-78044
- Prelate Church-warden: tel. Number: 23510-45080
- Boards: Metropolitan Board and Bishop Court
- Administrative Personnel: Secretariat tel. Number: 23510-45083
- Matrimonial Bureau: tel. Number: 23510-45084
- Accounts Office: tel. Number 23510-45082
Religious Ministration
- The Sacred Sermon preached in Churches.
- Confession.
- Spiritual Center "Agios Fotios", which focuses on Gods worship, the preaching of The Orthodox
Tradition, cultural activities (sermons, shows, exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances), recreation.
- Two spiritual centers (they belong to the Christian Fraternity "Sotir").
- Religious Service for sick people.
- Religious Service for the army.
Charity Ministration
- General fund for the relief of the poor. Belongs to the Holy Metropolis of Kitros.
- Two Institutions in Svoronos. The first one works as an old peoples home and the second accommodates the Ecclesiastical Tuition Center of Katerini.
- The Ecclesiastical old peoples home of Katerini.
- Charity kitchens.
- Station for first aid and social welfare in Katerini cooperating with the Red Cross (Greek Department).
- There is also an Ecclesiastical Tuition Center in the Holy Metropolis of Kitros, Katerini and Platamonas. In this center, students who have finished elementary school, are able to study for three years in order to become priests.
The "Varnavios" Ecclesiastical Library was established in 1995 and has been open to the public ever since. It has a rich variety of books, over 7.000.
The Holy Metropolis of Kitros, Katerini and Platamonas pertain to the oldest and most important bishopric of the Christian and Greco-Roman Empire. According to archaeological research, the Holy Metropolis was founded at the beginning of the 5th Century. Initially, it came under the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome.
From its foundation until the 7th century it belonged to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Bishop of Thessaloniki was at the top of the hierarchy, followed by the Bishop of Kitros (10th century). Afterwards (15th century) the Bishop of Kitros was named as the "Superior and Revered of Thessalia". During the years of Turkish domination, many scholar prelates and national martyrs were Bishops of Kitros. One of them was the national martyr Meletios Kyriakos the First (1821) and another was Nikolaos Lousis the First. Lousis was the pioneer of the Liberation Movement in Macedonia (1878).
During the years 1904 to 1933, when the Bishop was Parthenios Vardakas, Katerini was Liberated (16-10-1912) During the course of these years, and specifically in 1928, the Holy Metropolis belonged to the "Direct government of the Holy Orthodox and autonomous Greek Church". Nowadays, only the Prefecture of Pieria pertains to the Holy Metropolis of Kitros. The territory of Pieria includes 79 parish Churches, 5 Churches which are accommodated within institutions, 138 Chapels and 33 cemeteries with their chapels. In the Hagiology (the book in which all the saints are mentioned) of the Orthodox Church, two local saints are honoured. These are Saint Alexandros in Pydna (14th of March) and Saint Dionisos in Olympus (23rd of January).
Administration:
- Metropolitan Bishop of Kitros, Katerini and Platamonas The Right Reverend Agathonikos (since 24-11-1985).
- Address: Metropolis of Katerini, 60100, Katerini.
- Tel. Numbers: 23510-23512, 45085 Fax: 23510-78044
- Prelate Church-warden: tel. Number: 23510-45080
- Boards: Metropolitan Board and Bishop Court
- Administrative Personnel: Secretariat tel. Number: 23510-45083
- Matrimonial Bureau: tel. Number: 23510-45084
- Accounts Office: tel. Number 23510-45082
Religious Ministration
- The Sacred Sermon preached in Churches.
- Confession.
- Spiritual Center "Agios Fotios", which focuses on Gods worship, the preaching of The Orthodox
Tradition, cultural activities (sermons, shows, exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances), recreation.
- Two spiritual centers (they belong to the Christian Fraternity "Sotir").
- Religious Service for sick people.
- Religious Service for the army.
Charity Ministration
- General fund for the relief of the poor. Belongs to the Holy Metropolis of Kitros.
- Two Institutions in Svoronos. The first one works as an old peoples home and the second accommodates the Ecclesiastical Tuition Center of Katerini.
- The Ecclesiastical old peoples home of Katerini.
- Charity kitchens.
- Station for first aid and social welfare in Katerini cooperating with the Red Cross (Greek Department).
- There is also an Ecclesiastical Tuition Center in the Holy Metropolis of Kitros, Katerini and Platamonas. In this center, students who have finished elementary school, are able to study for three years in order to become priests.
The "Varnavios" Ecclesiastical Library was established in 1995 and has been open to the public ever since. It has a rich variety of books, over 7.000.
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