On Sunday morning, November 9, 2025, His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Saint George Cathedral of Stockholm, in honor of the feast of our Father among the Saints, Nectarios, Metropolitan of Pentapolis of Libya, patron saint of the island of Aegina. On this occasion, His Eminence also brought a relic of the Saint to bless and sanctify the faithful.
Serving together with the Shepherd of the Scandinavian Lands were the Very Reverend Archimandrite Bartholomew Iatridis, Pastor of the Cathedral, as well as visiting clergy: the Reverend Hieromonk Hieronymos (José Quintero) of the Holy Metropolis of Mexico, and the Reverend Protopresbyter Nectarios from Syria, a clergyman of the Holy Metropolis of Nea Krini and Kalamaria.
Both guest clergy speak the Greek language fluently and are distinguished for their extensive learning and missionary zeal. Because of their presence, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in Greek, Swedish, English, Spanish, and Arabic.
Following his bilingual sermon and introduction of the visiting clergy, Metropolitan Cleopas presented them with the liturgical edition of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in Greek, Swedish, and English, published by the Apostoliki Diakonia of the Church of Greece.
The Metropolitan then welcomed Mrs. Agnetha Hilding Qvarnström, representative of the Kyrkvädsföreningen i Stockholms Stift organization. He presented her, as well as members of the organization who were seated in the front rows as honored guests, with the same liturgical edition.
After the customary Sunday fellowship gathering in the Cathedral Fellowship Hall, His Eminence provided the Swedish visitors with an overview of the history of the Holy Metropolis in Scandinavia, the Cathedral, the presence of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Northern Lands, and the missionary and pastoral work being carried out. He also answered questions and concluded the visit with a guided tour of the Museum of Hellenic-Christian Heritage.
