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<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nOn this occasion, Members of Parliament, distinguished Representatives of the Royal Court, and the entire Swedish Royal Family gather together in prayer, before the opening of Parliamentary business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Dean (Domprost) of Storkyrkan Cathedral, Rev. Jonas Eek, emphasized the importance of beginning Sweden\u2019s public life with Christian reflection and prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The keynote address of the day was delivered by the Lutheran Bishop of Stockholm, Andreas Holmberg. He began his speech with a moving reference to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPrecisely at the spot where I now stand (the pulpit), only two weeks ago stood the highest Leader of the Orthodox Christian world, Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, the representative of 300 million Orthodox Christians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Together with many other Church Leaders from around the globe, we celebrated the centenary of the Ecumenical Meeting for Peace, as we heard in the introduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Patriarch stressed that true peace concerns both the inner transformation of each individual\u2019s life and the transformation of society as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even today, representatives of the worldwide Church are here to share with us the words of Holy Scripture about peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the beginning of one of the most important texts in world literature, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus also speaks of peace and says: \u2018Blessed are the peacemakers.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peace does not simply fall from heaven, nor does it appear on its own. It is created; it requires work. That is why our calling is to be peacemakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Honorable Members of Parliament, in this working year that now begins: create peace, work for peace! And may we all, together with you, be peacemakers! Blessed are the peacemakers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The service also formed part of the commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Stockholm Ecumenical Conference and the Ecumenical Year 2025 (Ekumeniska \u00e5ret 2025), themed: \u201cA Time for God\u2019s Peace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scripture readings were offered by Ms. Maria Valorna from Ukraine (Isaiah 2:4), Ms. Boel H\u00f6ssjer Sundman from the Lutheran Church of Sweden (Galatians 3:27\u201328), H.E. Cardinal Anders Arborelius (Psalm 85:11\u201314), and Rev. Rathinamn Mariyadoss from the Evangelical Church of South India (Mark 16:15).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The music for the service was provided by the Stockholm Cathedral Choir (Stockholms domkyrkok\u00f6r), under the direction of musicologist Mr. Johan Hammarstr\u00f6m, and the Royal Guard\u2019s Dragoon Band (Livgardets dragonmusikk\u00e5r), conducted by Maestro Mr. Joakim Unander, who performed sacred marches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among those present were His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia, along with 2,000 distinguished figures from Sweden\u2019s ecclesiastical and civic life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year\u2019s service carried particular symbolism, as it was linked to the centenary of the 1925 Stockholm Ecumenical Conference\u2014a landmark event in the modern Ecumenical Movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The service began shortly after noon (12:10 p.m.) and concluded in time for the formal procession to Parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At 2:00 p.m., the Parliamentary session officially opened, with His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden declaring its commencement at the request of the Speaker of Parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following this, the Prime Minister of Sweden, H.E. Ulf Kristersson, presented the 2025 Government Policy Statement and his Address, focusing on combating organized crime, migration, the economy and welfare, education and family, climate and energy, foreign policy and security, as well as freedom, democracy, and culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Prime Minister concluded his speech with the following message:
\u201cSweden has enormous potential. We have clean energy, world-class innovation, and a highly skilled workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The goal of the government is to transform Sweden: from dangerous to safe, from stagnation to success, from political instability to long-term growth. A better tomorrow awaits us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The program also included musical performances, the singing of the Swedish National Anthem, and the official arrival and departure of dignitaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This ceremony continues to remind us of the strong bond between the Lutheran Church of Sweden and the Swedish State. It symbolizes the need for spiritual grounding before decisions are made that affect the Nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tradition of collective prayer and unity before the opening of the parliamentary session, centuries old, offers spiritual guidance to the leadership of the Swedish State.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
With great solemnity, the opening of the new session of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Sweden was celebrated this year as well, on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 9, 2025. The proceedings began with a festive service held at Storkyrkan Cathedral of the Lutheran Church in Stockholm. This service forms an integral part of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1403,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[14,15],"tags":[26],"class_list":["post-1312","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ecumenical-patriarch-in-stockholm-2025","category-news","tag-ecumenical-patriarch-in-stockholm-2025"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/featured-7.jpg?fit=650%2C357&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":851,"url":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/ecumenical-patriarch-bartholomew-at-metropolitan-cleopas-of-swedens-book-presentation\/","url_meta":{"origin":1312,"position":0},"title":"Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden’s Book Presentation","author":"mplexus","date":"September 4, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"[:en] [:el] [:]","rel":"","context":"In "Ecumenical Patriarch in Stockholm 2025"","block_context":{"text":"Ecumenical Patriarch in Stockholm 2025","link":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/category\/news\/ecumenical-patriarch-in-stockholm-2025\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"[:en]Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden's Book Presentation 2025[:]","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/featured2-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C612&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/featured2-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C612&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/featured2-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C612&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/featured2-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C612&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/featured2-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C612&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":506,"url":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/the-ecumenical-patriarch-departed-from-stockholm\/","url_meta":{"origin":1312,"position":1},"title":"The Ecumenical Patriarch Departed from Stockholm","author":"mplexus","date":"August 25, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"[:en] On the morning of Monday, August 25, 2025, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew concluded His visit to Stockholm. Prior to His departure, accompanied by the Members of the Patriarchal Entourage, He visited the Skogskyrkog\u00e5rden Cemetery, where He held a memorial service (trisagion) at the grave of the late Metropolitan\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ecumenical Patriarch in Stockholm 2025"","block_context":{"text":"Ecumenical Patriarch in Stockholm 2025","link":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/category\/news\/ecumenical-patriarch-in-stockholm-2025\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"[:en]The Ecumenical Patriarch Departed from Stockholm 2025[:]","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/featured-9.jpg?fit=600%2C384&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/featured-9.jpg?fit=600%2C384&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/featured-9.jpg?fit=600%2C384&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":221,"url":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/%ce%b1%cf%86%ce%af%cf%87%ce%b8%ce%b7-%cf%83%cf%84%ce%b7%ce%bd-%cf%83%cf%84%ce%bf%ce%ba%cf%87%cf%8c%ce%bb%ce%bc%ce%b7-%ce%bf-%ce%bf%ce%b9%ce%ba%ce%bf%cf%85%ce%bc%ce%b5%ce%bd%ce%b9%ce%ba%cf%8c%cf%82\/","url_meta":{"origin":1312,"position":2},"title":"Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Arrives in Stockholm","author":"mplexus","date":"August 21, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"[:en] The Holy Metropolis of Sweden and All Scandinavia and its Shepherd, His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas, welcomed His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, yesterday afternoon, Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Arlanda Airport in Stockholm. Responding to the kind invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Martin Mod\u00e9us of Uppsala and Primate of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ecumenical Patriarch in Stockholm 2025"","block_context":{"text":"Ecumenical Patriarch in Stockholm 2025","link":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/category\/news\/ecumenical-patriarch-in-stockholm-2025\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/featured-2.jpg?fit=600%2C303&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/featured-2.jpg?fit=600%2C303&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/featured-2.jpg?fit=600%2C303&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":407,"url":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/second-day-of-the-patriarchal-visit-to-stockholm\/","url_meta":{"origin":1312,"position":3},"title":"Second Day of the Patriarchal Visit to Stockholm","author":"mplexus","date":"August 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"[:en] His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, accompanied by the Members of His Entourage \u2014 His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, the Very Reverend Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, and the Very Reverend Deacon Epiphanios and His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia \u2014 completed the second day of His\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ecumenical Patriarch in Stockholm 2025"","block_context":{"text":"Ecumenical Patriarch in Stockholm 2025","link":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/category\/news\/ecumenical-patriarch-in-stockholm-2025\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"[:en]Second Day of the Patriarchal Visit to Stockholm 2025[:]","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/featured-4.jpg?fit=600%2C252&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/featured-4.jpg?fit=600%2C252&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/featured-4.jpg?fit=600%2C252&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":488,"url":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/thyranoixia-service-at-the-st-george-cathedral-of-stockholm-by-ecumenical-patriarch-bartholomew\/","url_meta":{"origin":1312,"position":4},"title":"Thyranoixia Service at the St. George Cathedral of Stockholm by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew","author":"mplexus","date":"August 24, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"[:en] 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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ecumenical Patriarch in Stockholm 2025"","block_context":{"text":"Ecumenical Patriarch in Stockholm 2025","link":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/category\/news\/ecumenical-patriarch-in-stockholm-2025\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"[:en]Thyranoixia Service at the St. George Cathedral of Stockholm by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew 2025[:]","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/featured-7.jpg?fit=600%2C314&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/featured-7.jpg?fit=600%2C314&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/featured-7.jpg?fit=600%2C314&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2560,"url":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/the-holy-metropolis-of-sweden-on-the-election-of-his-grace-bishop-bartholomew-of-elaia\/","url_meta":{"origin":1312,"position":5},"title":"The Holy Metropolis of Sweden on the Election of His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Elaia","author":"mplexus","date":"January 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"[:en] Following the conclusion of the proceedings of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, convened on January 8 and 9, 2026 respectively, and during the first session of the first day, upon the return of His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia to his see\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Homilies"","block_context":{"text":"Homilies","link":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/category\/metropolitan\/homilies\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/featured-5.jpg?fit=800%2C458&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/featured-5.jpg?fit=800%2C458&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/featured-5.jpg?fit=800%2C458&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/featured-5.jpg?fit=800%2C458&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1312","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1312"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1312\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1323,"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1312\/revisions\/1323"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1403"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1312"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1312"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>