The Holy Shrine of Saint John the Russian in Neo Prokopio, Evia

The Holy Church of Saint John in Neo Prokopio, Evia, functions as a place of pilgrimage under the direct supervision and administration of the Holy Metropolis of Chalkis.

In 1961, article 140 of Law 4149 “On the statutory law of the Orthodox Church in Crete and other provisions” stipulated that: “the Church of St. John of Russia in Prokopi, Evia, after this Holy Relic,” is converted into a shrine temple, constituting a Legal Entity under Public Law. Its administration, management and allocation of resources are regulated by a decision of the Minister of National Education and Religious Affairs, published in the Government Gazette and subsequently issued by the relevant Metropolitan Bishop and the Permanent Holy Synod. Based on the decision of the Minister of National Education and Religious Affairs regulates the  administration, management and allocation of the resources of the First Shrine. In implementation of this decision, a committee is formed and a 21-member Board of Directors is appointed, with the Most Reverend Metropolitan Bishop of Chalkis as President, after the decision of the Ministers of Coordination and National Education and Religious Affairs “On the constitution of the Board of Directors of the Saint John the Russian Foundation” Saint John the Russian “. In implementation of this decision, a seven-member Board of Directors is appointed, with His Eminence the Metropolitan Bishop of Chalkis as President. On February 20, 1973, the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece passed Resolution No. 46 “On the Administration and Management of the Holy Shrine in Prokopi, Evia, The Saint John the Russian Foundation”.

This provision states that the administration and management of the Holy Shrines registered under the jurisdiction of the Church of Greece are determined by a decision of the Board of Directors, approved by the Holy Synod of the Hierarchy of the Church and published in the Government Gazette , where it is provided that, until the provisions of this Law take effect, the decisions of the Holy Synod of the Hierarchy and of the Standing Holy Synod are still in force.

In accordance with the decision of the Holy Synod of the Hierarchy of the Church of Greece, the Holy Shrine is governed by a five-member Board of Directors, consisting of the current Metropolitan Bishop of Chalkis as President, and four members, each of whom is a clergyman. The Holy Shrine performs an important spiritual and social function. It is an oasis that contributes to the rest and inner renewal of the pilgrims coming from the bustling desert of modern secular preoccupations.

The grace of the holy relic floods the faithful, adorns and calms their hearts, filling them with the hope of Resurrection, and cultivating thoughts and a sense of repentance.