On the morning of Sunday, August 24, 2025, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Saint George Cathedral of Stockholm, following the service of the Thyranoixia, which marked the completion of a thorough restoration of the Cathedral’s exterior and interior.
Present at the Divine Liturgy were His Eminence Archbishop Leo of Helsinki and All Finland, His Eminence Metropolitan Stephanos of Tallinn and All Estonia, His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, and the local hierarch, His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia.
Also in attendance were His Excellency Mr. Dimitrios Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance, accompanied by his wife; His Excellency Mr. Ioannis Michail Loverdos, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for Hellenes Abroad, accompanied by his 3-member entourage; Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of Greece and Cyprus, Ms. Aikaterini Foundoulaki and Mr. Solon Savva, respectively; the Honorable Ms. Georgia Athanasopulos, Consul General of Panama in the U.S., accompanied by Greek businessman Mr. Manolis Petroyiannis; and the Apostolic Nuncio in Stockholm, His Excellency Archbishop Julio Murat of Orange.
Also present were Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate from America with their spouses—Drs. Anthony & Maria Limberakis, Gus & Gail Pablecas, John Mindala, Gerry & Jeannie Ranglas, Stamatis & Anita Kartalopoulos, Demetrios & Eleni Bousis, Isidoros & Maria Garifalakis, Savvas & Maria Tsivikou—as well as various institutional representatives, members of associations, academics, scientists, physicians, and a large number of faithful who filled the Cathedral from early in the morning.
In His homily, the venerable Head of Orthodoxy spoke about the theological significance of the church and the presence of so many young people thirsting for Orthodoxy, becoming bearers of the Hellenic spirit and the values of our devout nation.
He also expressed Patriarchal satisfaction with the Shepherd of the Scandinavian lands, His Eminence Cleopas, noting that during his 11 years of episcopal ministry, he has achieved remarkable spiritual, literary, administrative, and overall contributions that comfort the people and honor the presence of the First-Throned Church in the countries that comprise the Holy Metropolis of Sweden.
In his response, His Eminence Cleopas expressed his joy and emotion at welcoming the Ecumenical Patriarch to his province for the third time during his tenure, emphasizing the Patriarch’s tireless efforts and fatherly concern for the faithful scattered across the world. He asked the Patriarch to bestow His Patriarchal blessing on the devout flock of Scandinavia.
At midday, His All-Holiness, the honorable Patriarchal Entourage, and other guests attended a luncheon at the restaurant Cypern, graciously hosted by its owners, Mr. Nikolaos Athanasiou and Mr. Athanasios Kalpakas.
In the afternoon, the Ecumenical Patriarch, accompanied by Members of the Patriarchal Entourage and the Archons of the Mother Church from America, responded graciously to the invitation of the Archbishop of the Lutheran Church in Sweden, His Eminence Martin Modéus, and attended a service at the Uppsala Cathedral (Domkyrka), where he recited the Nicene Creed.
During the reception at the Archbishop’s Residence, mutual greetings and responses were exchanged, confirming a shared commitment to dialogue and cooperation for the promotion of God’s peace in the world.
