June 12, 2026
Beloved Members and Friends of the Holy Metropolis of Sweden and All Scandinavia,
With paternal love and pastoral concern, I write to inform you that, following three years since the unavoidable closure of the Holy Trinity Church in Gothenburg due to the severe winter storm that struck the region and the unprecedented drop in temperature to –21°C, which caused extensive damage to the church property, we have now entered the blessed period of its comprehensive restoration.
Following the completion of all necessary procedures, studies, and approvals by the Metropolis Executive Board, I am pleased to announce that, as of June 1st, 2026, work has officially commenced on the complete restoration of the Holy Trinity Church. The objective of this project is the full reopening of the church and the restoration of the liturgical life of the parish to its proper order.
In connection with the commencement of the restoration project, accompanied by His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Elaia, we visited the church on June 10th, 2026. Following a meeting with the contractor, final instructions were provided, and prayers were offered, invoking the Name of the Holy Trinity, for the blessing and successful completion of this important undertaking.
This significant development is the fruit of the coordinated efforts and diligent work of our Holy Metropolis.
It should also be noted that from the very day we became aware of the extent of the damage sustained by the Holy Trinity Church, the Holy Metropolis of Sweden, acting with pastoral responsibility and concern for its faithful, arranged for the rental of a nearby church facilities.
In that church, the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, the Holy Sacraments, and the overall liturgical and sacramental life of the local Church has continued uninterrupted to the present day. In this way, the faithful have not been deprived of the spiritual care, support, and ministry of their Church during the period in which their parish church has remained closed.
We trust that, by the grace of God and through the cooperation of all involved, the project will be completed within the anticipated timeframe of one year from the commencement of the restoration work.
The total cost of the restoration project amounts to 11,000,000 Swedish Kronor (€910,000) and will be covered as follows:
1. Through insurance compensation received in the amount of 1,244,255 Swedish Kronor;
2. Through contributions from the Holy Metropolis of Sweden; and
3. Through donations designated specifically for this restoration project.
The Holy Metropolis expresses its heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported this sacred endeavor, both materially and morally.
To ensure the safe and uninterrupted execution of the restoration work, it is important to emphasize that, throughout the duration of the project, access to and presence within the church premises and surrounding facilities is strictly prohibited for all persons except authorized contractors and designated personnel. This restriction is necessary for the prevention of accidents, as the entire property is considered an active construction site.
We pray that the Holy Trinity will bless this undertaking and grant health, strength, and every good gift to all those laboring for the successful completion of this project.
Since the Holy Metropolis of Sweden has undertaken the responsibility for the comprehensive restoration of the Holy Trinity Church in Gothenburg, we humbly request your prayerful and financial support. For this reason, we provide below the banking information of the Holy Metropolis for those who wish to contribute to this sacred endeavor.
BANKING INFORMATION
Grekisk-Ortodoxa Metropolitdömet av Sverige och Skandinavien
Birger Jarlsgatan 92, Stockholm 11420, Sweden
Organization Number: 252004-1365
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (SEB)
IBAN.NR SE6150000000052111038733
BIC Code: ESSESESSXXX
Bankgiro Bg: 5992-2518
Swish: 123-308 06 45
With paternal blessings in the Lord,
† Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia
