Initially, Metropolitan Cleopas guided his visitor to the St. George Cathedral in Stockholm, where he informed him about the history and works of the restoration of the church, and then received him at the Museum of Greek-Christian Heritage, where they had an hour-long discussion on issues of mutual interest.

The Archbishop conveyed to Fr. Antonios the paternal wishes of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and Fr. Antonios conveyed the greeting of Patriarch John X of Antioch.

The Archbishop invited Fr. Antonios to celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral on the last Sunday of January, and offered him the commemorative volume of his Patriarchal Visit to Stockholm and the publication of the Holy Metropolis with the Divine Liturgy in three languages (Greek, Swedish and English). They also exchanged wishes for the feasts of the Epiphany and the New Year.

Following the eucharistic synaxis, Bishop Iakovos cut the traditional Vasilopita (cake in memory of St Basil) while sharing words of encouragement and paternal love on the occasion of the commencement of a new year. The Archim Lazarus Georgiou, a visiting clergyman from the Metropolis of Limassol in Cyprus, preached the sermon, at the well attended Hierarchical liturgy of St Basil.

Bishop Raphael presided during Matins and celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Amongst those concelebrating were the V. Revd Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Dr. Antonios Kakalis, the V. Revd Archimandrite Meletiy Spassov, vice-dean of Sofia Theological Seminary (Bulgarian Orthodox Church), the Revd Protopresbyter Christos Stephanou, the Revd Protopresbyter John Nankivell, the Revd Protopresbyter John Jookway, the Revd Protopresbyter Dr. Dobromir Dimitrov, the Revd Oeconomos Nicholas Karafillides, the Revd Oeconomos Michael Petrakis, Priest-in-charge and the Revd Presbyter Dionisios-James Higgs. Archdeacon Dr. George Tsourous as well as Deacons Symeon Menne, and Gregorios Craveiro served. Prior to the ordination, Ioannis Petrakis was elevated by His Grace Raphael to the order of Readers.
Also present were the Rev. Oeconomos Andreas Amirhom (Newcastle), Revd Archpriest Stephen Platt (Oxford) and Revd Archpriest Prof Andrew Louth (Durham) from the Russian Orthodox Church (Diocese of Sourozh), Revd Dr. Justin Mihoc (Durham) from the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Revd Paul Kronbergs (Middlesbrough) and the Revd Canon Dr. Alan Bartlett (Durham) from the Anglican Church, as well as Revd Presbyter Beshoy Karam from the Coptic Cathedral of St. George and St. Athanasios (Newcastle), along with Prof. Jane Heath (Durham University).

In his ordination speech, Fr Nikita reflected on his spiritual journey throughout his life and expressed profound gratitude to God for the divine call to the ordained ministry of Priesthood. He extended heartfelt thanks to Archbishop Nikitas, for guiding him in discerning the right time to take the first step toward the Holy Altar. Father Nikita also conveyed his appreciation to His Grace Bishop Raphael, recalling their initial meeting at the Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Essex during 1999-2000 when he was still a student.

Father Nikita also expressed his deep gratitude to Fr. John and Georgina Nankivell, whom he first met during the same period and who have remained close friends. He extended a sincere thank you to Fr. Meletiy, who represented his home country and Bulgarian family. Father Nikita also thanked the Community in Leeds for their warm welcome, noting that it was at this very church that he was initially ordained as a reader by the late Archbishop Gregorios in January 2007. He also expressed his profound appreciation to his dear wife, Esther, and their children, Liliana-Maria, Anastasia, and Symeon, for wholeheartedly embracing their new life as a clergy family.

In closing, Father Nikita acknowledged his role as a Priest is to lead the people of God in the greatest act of thanksgiving, the Eucharist, where the Church gathers to give thanks and noted the importance of giving thanks, even in challenging times.

In his address to Deacon Nikita, Bishop Raphael noted that Nikita’s life was about to undergo a transformative change, taking on new meaning and beauty as he prepared to be ordained as a Priest. Bishop Raphael highlighted Nikita’s well-rounded preparation, growing up in a devout Orthodox Christian environment, living a pious life, and receiving guidance from dedicated clergymen. He also acknowledged Nikita’s family, his worthy wife, and good children who would provide support and inspiration on his journey. Bishop Raphael emphasised that, through the Archbishop’s call, Fr. Nikita was not a foreigner in the Church but an integral part of the Archdiocese’s family, working together to welcome more people to the faith. In conclusion, Bishop Raphael wished for Nikita’s priestly service to be so impactful that people encountering him would affirm the truth of the Gospel and conveyed his blessings for Nikita’s journey in the priesthood, praying for a path filled with grace, devotion, and inspiration for all those Nikita would encounter in his ministry.

The close-knit community in Leeds, under the guidance of Fr. Michael Petrakis,Priest-in-charge, President Kostas Karakoussis and the Parish Council, as well as the co-ordinator Mr Irineos Livadiotes, orchestrated a truly splendid reception in celebration of the ordination. This event seamlessly accommodated nearly 200 guests. The delicious meal prepared by the talented cook, Mr. Nikolaos Tagkatidis and volunteers, added an extra layer of warmth and flavour to the gathering. It provided an extraordinary opportunity for guest from across the UK and members of the Leeds community to come together and witness the ordination of Fr. Nikita. Against the backdrop of the ordination, attendees relished the chance to also exchange warm greetings for the New Year.

Fr Nikita will be serving at the Church of the Annunciation of the Mother of God in Middlesbrough.

In a heartfelt address, the Metropolitan of Sweden invokes unity and spiritual peace among us all, envisioning a calm spirit akin to a calm sea where heartfelt connections transcend the trivialities of our world.

Despite personal imperfections, he extends this wish not just for the audience but for all brethren partaking in this divine gift. With fervent entreaty, he beseeches the Risen Lord Jesus Christ to bestow abundant blessings in prayer and thought upon each individual, their dear ones, and all fellow believers in Christ.

Expressing deep gratitude, joy, and affectionate sentiments, the message concludes with a hopeful vow of shared growth in the coming year.

Read the full address of Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden:

The year 2023 ended on a very nice note, with the forty-day churching of little Athanasios, the son of Konstantinos and Maria, distinguished members of our Cathedral in Stockholm.

Little Athanasios was adorable as he participated in the service full of laughter and tranquility!

As I held him in my arms, a song by the acclaimed singer Haroula Alexiou came to mind, written by Makis Seviloglou and entitled “We’re Getting Older Together.”

“Two pearly eyes

That look a little like yours and a little like mine…

I sing you a lullaby

And you close your eyes like an angel

Even though I’m getting older

We’re getting older together

Even though I’m getting older

I’ll melt every time I hear you laugh and cry”

Here in the Greek Community of Scandinavia and our local Church, we, too, grow older together, because – to put it simply – “we are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”

We share in the joys and sorrows of our brothers and sisters, along with their dreams and successes, because they are our family!

The words of St. Paul the Apostle are wise and timeless: “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body.” (1st Corinth. 12,12-13)

It is within the Church that we learn how to walk together, to build dreams together, to work together, to create things together, and to have an ecclesiological conscience!

The journey to Emmaus, together with Luke and Cleopas, is a common journey of spiritual progress and recognition, interembracing, searching, processing and interpreting spiritual “data” and empirical knowledge that turns away from jealousy, envy, disparagement, unfair competition, and slander!

We learn to walk together in unity, each one of us looking out for the other and for the best interests of the group, we share in one another’s joys and sorrows, in love and a spirit of obedience, joined indivisibly to the Head of the Church – Jesus Christ.

I was very happy to have read the statistics from the Holy Sacraments celebrated in the year 2023, according to which our parishes in Scandinavia welcomed 31 adults as new members of the Church through the service of chrismation and another 22 adults through baptism.

I extend my warmest congratulations to the Reverend Clergy for their missionary zeal and devotion to their ministry!

St. John Chrysostom reminds us that all of us – shepherds and logical sheep – are all being shepherded by Christ: “I have told you many times that shepherds and sheep are divided  in this manner according to human discernment, but before Christ all are sheep. Both the shepherds and sheep are all shepherded by the one arch-shepherd” (St. John Chrysostom, On the Ascension, sermon 2, 12. P.G. 52, 784).

Being that I am currently working on a new study on the missionary work of the ever-memorable Elder Eusevios Vittis in Scandinavia, let us read what he has to say through his correspondence regarding the longed for mystical union of the Church, and let us accept his words as a heartfelt wish, supplication, and fervent prayer for Hellenism all over the world:

“In my humble opinion, the church must become a spiritual center that gives off powerful rays from the light of Christ, the love described in the Gospel, heavenly truth, life in the Holy Spirit, a place of perpetual worship of the Trinitarian God in spirit and truth, in the Orthodox faith, and in the sanctification of soul and spirit. Only in this way can fulfill its mission.

The church is not there for others, but rather, for us. There is no us and them.

The pronoun “us” includes us all. That means that every one of us, from the first to the last, will find tranquility of spirit like a calm sea, we will meet our brethren mystically heart to heart and overcome the pettiness and futility of this world.

I wish this for you in spite of the unworthiness that characterizes me, and through you, to all the brethren who will participate in this special gift of our Lord. I entreat our Risen Lord Jesus Christ with all my heart to give His gifts “in exceeding abundance, whether in prayer or thought” to each of you and your loved ones, and to all our brethren in faith in Christ Jesus.

I greet you with deep thanks, joy, sentiments, and corresponding love in His Name. Archimandrite Eusevios Vittis, monk” (Archive of the St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Uppsala)

Happy New Year, my brothers and sisters! “Even though I grow older, we shall grow older together”

Metropolitan Cleopas will preside over the Archieratical Divine Liturgy that will be celebrated at the St. George of Ioannina Parish in Roskilde, located at Toldbodgade 7, 4000 in Roskilde.

Divine Liturgy: 9:30 am
Great Agiasmos Service (Blessing of the Water Service): 10:45 am
Throwing the cross into the lake adjacent to the parish: 11:45 am
Reception in the parish Fellowship Hall: 12:15 pm

For more information, kindly contact the office of the Holy Metropolis via e-mail at metropolisofsweden@gmail.com

“The loss of time, or the bad use of time, can be corrected only by one thing – and that is repentance. This is the greatest gift of God to us. We can claim without any reservation, that our salvation and our eternal life absolutely depend on our faith in God, revealed in three Persons, as well as in our good use of time and our repentance for our sins and for our bad use of time.” stressed Archbishop Sotirios in his Encyclical.

He also noted “We have closed behind us for good, the door of last year. We now stand on the threshold of the New Year. God opens His door for us. A quick glance at last year, can convince us that we could have used our time much better than we did. Let us look at our successes, and our failures. Let us grade ourselves. Above all, let us repent for our sins and failures, and let us apply and put into practice our change of mind and our repentance, so that we can “redeem the time.” Doing this, we will be able to pass from death to eternal life, and live with God – both now and forever”.

Read below the Encyclical of Archbishop Sotirios of Canada

His Grace, Reverend Fathers, Honourable Presidents and Esteemed Members of the Boards of Directors, Honourable Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Members of the Philoptochos Societies, Teachers, Students and Youth Members of the Communities and to the Entire Plenitude of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada

Time – Eternity – Salvation
Archbishop Sotirios of Canada

Let us leave it to the philosophers to quarrel and debate if time is real – something that is tangible – or if it is simply a concept. For the purpose of our discussion, this debate does not matter in the least. However time is understood, it is a creation of God, and is at man’s disposal and use.

We can further say that time is neither good nor bad. Everything depends on how we use time: either to our advantage, or our disadvantage. If we make good use of time, then the results for us will be good. If, however, we make bad use of time or squander time, then it is to our detriment.

Every second of our life is time passing. Even eternity can be defined as time without end. There has never existed, and there exists no time that is independent of God. God does not have beginning nor end, just as eternity has no end. What significance would the words “life without end” have, if time had an end?

Some people have a mistaken understanding with regard to the life of man in eternity. The materialists do not believe in life after death. They believe that everything ends for man underneath the cold tombstone. Their slogan and their manner of life is: “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” How great a mistake they make!

Others in turn believe that only the righteous will inherit eternity. They too, are in error. Eternity belongs to both the righteous and the evil, with one big difference between them. The righteous and those of faith will inherit eternal life: a life of bliss; a life in communion with God. The evil and the faithless will “enter into everlasting punishment.” They will live forever alienated from God. They will be in eternal punishment – in eternal damnation and misery.

Each person who has correctly understood the meaning and the purpose of his life, realizes that he is here on earth only temporarily – a sojourner and a foreigner. He understands even more that eternal life – bliss or hell – are rewards dependent on the kind of life he has lead here on earth. His state of being after death will depend on his faith in the true God, and upon his good or bad use of time.

Our glorious and outstanding ancient ancestors urged us to “use time sparingly.” God, our Creator and our Father, also prescribes us to live “by redeeming time.” That is, to make good use of our time here on earth.

The time that we will live our life here on earth, in comparison with eternity, is less than a drop of water in the ocean. And yet: it is from this minuscule amount of time, that our eternal life – either in bliss or in punishment – will depend. Perhaps this appears absurd in terms of human logic, and this is why many end up believing in the restoration of everything. This is what Origen taught, and the reason why he is still considered a heretic. Our Church condemned this heresy and rejected Origen’s teaching.

Just as the good use of time in our youth, makes for good results in the rest of our life on earth, even more does the good use of time during our earthly life, have substantive results for our life in eternity. Every second that is lost, is lost for good. This loss is a mistake that cannot be fixed. We can never again re-live the second or the time that has passed.

The loss of time, or the bad use of time, can be corrected only by one thing – and that is repentance. This is the greatest gift of God to us. We can claim without any reservation, that our salvation and our eternal life absolutely depend on our faith in God, revealed in three Persons, as well as in our good use of time and our repentance for our sins and for our bad use of time.

We have closed behind us for good, the door of last year. We now stand on the threshold of the New Year. God opens His door for us. A quick glance at last year, can convince us that we could have used our time much better than we did. Let us look at our successes, and our failures. Let us grade ourselves. Above all, let us repent for our sins and failures, and let us apply and put into practice our change of mind and our repentance, so that we can “redeem the time.” Doing this, we will be able to pass from death to eternal life, and live with God – both now and forever.

Blessed Christians, may you correctly understand the importance and the value of time, especially the more you live on earth. Make good use of the time that God has given you, so that you can live forever with Him. I extend to you all, my best wishes for a Happy New Year, with Christ and His Peace abiding in your hearts. May God bring peace to the whole world, liberty to those in captivity, and salvation to every human soul.

With fatherly love and blessings in the Newborn Christ,

ARCHBISHOP SOTIRIOS

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada

Accompanied by Archimandrite Bartholomew Iatridis, Vicar of the Cathedral of St. George in Stockholm, Metropolitan Cleopas conveyed the heartfelt congratulations of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Alongside representatives from various Christian denominations, they extended warm wishes for the Cardinal’s continued success in his multifaceted ministry.

Archbishop Nikitas was joined by Archimandrite Chrysostomos Michaelides, Oeconomos Kristian Akselberg, Priest-in-Charge, Archdeacon George Tsourous, and Deacon Georgios Ntallas.

In his sermon on the fest of the Nativity of the Lord, Archbishop Nikitas talked about Christmas; the miracle of life, and God’s deep love, as shown by sending His Son to save humanity. He reminded the congregation that all prophecies had been fulfilled with the birth of Christ by the Theotokos, marking the fullness of time. Even though Britain may no longer be a predominantly Christian country, the Archbishop stressed the importance of maintaining faith in Jesus Christ, the God-Man. He greeted all those named Emmanuel, meaning “God is with us,” and urged the congregation to spread the joy and message of the day, particularly with those who could not attend the Church. Concluding his sermon, Archbishop Nikitas imparted a heartfelt invocation for the abiding presence of God’s grace in the lives of all the faithful, encouraging people to have hope in Jesus Christ on this most hallowed of days.

Photo credit: Alexios Gennaris

On Christmas Day, Bishop Athenagoras of Thermae, assistant to Metropolitan Polycarp, presided over the festive celebration with the participation of Fr. Petru Filipescu from the Parish of Udine.

A number of believers and pilgrims of various nationalities attended the celebration at the temporary church of the Monastery, led by Gerontissa Sebastiani.

Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain presided during Matins and celebrated the Divine Liturgy.

Amongst those concelebrating were the Archimandrite Nephon Tsimalis, Chancellor, Archimandrite of the Oecumenical Throne Theonas Bakalis, Archdeacon Dr. George Tsourous, and Deacon Gregory Palamas Florides. Bishop Iakovos of Claudiopolis joined prayerfully at the altar.

Deacon Georgios expressed his profound gratitude to Archbishop Nikitas for the honor and blessing of being ordained to the diaconate, the initial rank of the Holy Priesthood in the Orthodox Church. In the days leading to his ordination, Deacon Georgios contemplated the life of St. Stephanos, the First Martyr, drawing inspiration from his devotion and resilience beyond secular comforts. He emphasized his commitment to his duties, deeply inspired by the Crucified Christ, and noted that the sight and presence of Christ’s holy body and precious blood during the Divine Liturgy will continually remind him of his significant responsibilities.

He extended his heartfelt thanks to the clergy, especially Fr Nephon Tsimalis, Chancellor of the Holy Archdiocese; Archdeacon George Tsourous; and Fr Konstantinos Mamouris, for their love, patience, and understanding. Special gratitude was also conveyed to Fr Theonas for his trust and spiritual guidance. Additionally, Deacon Georgios acknowledged the unwavering support of his spouse, Evangelia, praising her discreet support, patience, love, and sacrifices. He dedicated this significant day to her, in recognition of her enduring support and acceptance of his spiritual path.

In his response, Archbishop Nikitas spoke to the newly ordained Deacon Georgios, commending the humility he has observed in him since their first meeting. Drawing a parallel with Christ’s calling of humble fishermen to discipleship, His Eminence reflected on how Georgios, too, was called to join the clergy and serve in Christ’s Church. Archbishop Nikitas advised Deacon Georgios to remain steadfast and resilient in his diaconate, undeterred by any future challenges. With his humility and love, Deacon Georgios is well-positioned to contribute to the work of the Church in this land.

The ordination concluded with a reception and fellowship in the Cathedral’s crypt.

Photo credit: Jessy Papasavva Photography