Drama: Celebration at Nea Soumela, Symbol of Pontic Hellenism

Nea Soumela in Drama celebrates today, honoring the tradition of Pontic Hellenism. The Lavrentian Monastery, after its reconstruction by the late Metropolitan of Drama, Kyros Pavlos, has opened its doors to believers.

The church impresses with its mosaic images, founder inscriptions, and relics. In the main church, a cross from Kρωμνη of Pontus bears a verse from a Pontic song: "ΜΗ ΚΛΑΙΣ ΜΗ ΚΛΑΙΣ ΑΙ ΓΙΑΝΝΕ ΜΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΔΕΡΝΟΚΟΠΙΣΚΑΣΑΙ - Η ΡΩΜΑΝΙΑ ΑΝ ΠΕΡΑΣΕΝ ΑΝΘΕΙ Κ ΦΕΡΕΙ ΚΙ ΑΛΛΟ".

In the chapel, there is a representation of Pontus with the inscription: "ΞΗΡΑΝΘΗΤΩ ΗΜΙΝ Ο ΛΑΡΥΓΞ ΕΑΝ ΕΠΙΛΑΘΩΜΕΘΑ ΣΟΥ Ω ΠΑΤΡΙΑ ΠΟΝΤΙΑ ΓΗ", expressing devotion to the homeland.

The first church was founded in 1927 by Metropolitan of Chaldia, Lavrentios Papadopoulos, to preserve the memory of Pontus. Professor Theodosis Kyriakidis emphasizes the importance of the monastery in preserving the memory of Pontic Hellenism.

The Metropolitan of Drama, Mr. Dorotheos, continues the work of his predecessor, honoring the memory of Lavrentios and the monks of Panagia Soumela.