LITURGY ON THE FEAST OF ST DEMETRIUS OF THESSALONICA

On Sunday, 8 November 2026, the Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost and the commemoration of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica, the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Cathedral was celebrated by the vicar bishop of the Diocese of Chersonese, Metropolitan Nestor of Stupino, with the cathedral clergy concelebrating.

About the Great Martyr Demetrius

The saint suffered at Thessalonica (in Slavonic, Solun) around the year 306, during the campaign of persecution against Christians under the emperor Diocletian. He preached Christianity openly in the city, for which he was shut up in the underground chamber of the city baths and then run through with spears.

In Byzantine texts the saint is also called the Victory-Bearer, since most of his miracles are connected with the defence of his native city. In our own day the reliquary containing his relics is opened once a year, on the day of his commemoration, which falls on 8 November.

In Rus’ the Great Martyr Demetrius was traditionally venerated as the patron of soldiers. After the Battle of Kulikovo it was established that those who had fallen should be commemorated on the Saturday immediately preceding the day of his memory. The custom later extended to the commemoration of all departed Orthodox Christians. This Saturday came to be known as St Demetrius Memorial Saturday. This year it fell on 7 November. On the eve, a Panikhida was served in the cathedral.