With the help of God, the Synaxis of the 24 patron saints of the Church in Korea was celebrated this year at the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Gapyeong, where their holy relics are kept, which the ever-memorable Metropolitan Soterios of Pisidia (formerly of Korea) painstakingly collected from Greece, Sinai, and Russia for the sanctification and protection of the faithful and catechumens.
The Feast of the Synaxis of the 24 Saints was first held in 1999 after the Ecumenical Patriarchate approved both the feast and the holy service (akolouthia), which was composed by Archimandrite Nikodemos Aerakis. His Eminence Soterios also saw to it that the icon of the 24 Saints was painted by the iconographer Mr. Sozos Giannoudis and that the feast was established on October 3rd, since this date is a holiday on which Koreans celebrate the creation of their ancient nation (Dangun Day ή Gaecheonjeol: The day the heaven opened) in 2,333 BC. This is when the first Kingdom of Korea was founded by King Dangun Wanggeom, called Go-Joseon (or Choson), also known as Old Korea (2333 – 108 BC).
On the evening of Wednesday, October 2nd, the Great Vespers with Artoklasia was celebrated by Father Anthony Woo. The following day, the service of Orthros and the Divine Liturgy was presided over by Metropolitan of Korea and Exarch of Japan, His Eminence Ambrosios, with co-celebrants Fr Anthony Woo, Fr Roman Kavchak, Fr Jeremiah Cho, Fr Hilarion Chung, Fr Anthony Lim, and Fr Yohan Park and the participation of a large number of faithful.
In his homily after the Gospel reading, the Metropolitan developed the greatest theme of the unity of Christians (the branches) with Christ (the Vine) and with each other in imitation of all the Saints.
After the Divine Liturgy, a Memorial Service followed at the tomb of the blessed Metropolitan Soterios. On the occasion of the beautiful flowers offered by many faithful to the tomb of the deceased, and after congratulating them for the honor and respect they pay to their spiritual Father, the Metropolitan urged them to always have in their hearts as fragrant flowers the wise advice and the holy example of the blessed, holy Hierarch.
At the refectory, the Agape meal was provided to all the pilgrims, and the 35th Anniversary of the ordination of Fr. Anthony Woo as Presbyter (October 2, 1989) by the Metropolitan of New Zealand and Exarch of Korea Dionysios Psyachas (1916-2008) was also celebrated.
Warm thanks are due to Sister Agathi and all the ladies who worked in preparation for the celebration of our Church. Our thanks are also extended to the priests, the altar boys, the choir members, and all those who came to the Monastery from far away.