Divine Liturgy at Panagia Soumela Monastery on August 23

Turkish authorities have granted permission for the Divine Liturgy to be held at the historic Panagia Soumela Monastery in Trabzon on Saturday, August 23, during the "Nine Days of the Virgin Mary."

According to an announcement from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Metropolitan of Forty Churches, Andreas, will preside over the Divine Liturgy.

As in the previous year, the Divine Liturgy was not held on the feast day of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary (August 15), but on the Apodosis of the feast, August 23.