{"id":3940,"date":"2026-04-08T22:47:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T20:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/?p=3940"},"modified":"2026-04-16T13:17:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T11:17:51","slug":"h-e-metropolitan-cleopas-of-swedens-homily","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/h-e-metropolitan-cleopas-of-swedens-homily\/","title":{"rendered":"H.E. Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden\u2019s Homily on Holy Wednesday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

St. George Cathedral of Stockholm<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

April 8, 2026<\/u><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dearly Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we enter more deeply into the solemn days of Holy Week, Holy Wednesday is a day that confronts us with two radically different responses to Christ: the silent, tearful repentance of the woman who anoints Him, and the calculated betrayal of Judas.
This is also the day on which the Church gathers to celebrate the Holy Unction, a sacrament that reveals with particular force the mercy of God as healing, forgiveness, and restoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the earliest pages of the Old Testament, God reveals Himself not primarily as a judge, but as One who shows steadfast mercy. We hear of His \u201cloving kindness,\u201d His enduring compassion toward His people\u2014even when they fall, even when they turn away. The prophets speak of a God who does not abandon the wounded, but binds their wounds; who does not extinguish the wick, but gently restores it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oil, throughout Scripture, is a sign of this divine care. It strengthens, heals, consecrates. When the Good Samaritan tends to the wounded man, he pours oil upon his wounds; a powerful image later embraced by the Church as a sign of Christ Himself, the true healer of humanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Holy Unction, this same symbolism becomes reality; the oil is a vehicle of grace, a means through which God touches both soul and body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holy Unction is part of the Church\u2019s ongoing therapeutic life, through which the grace of God restores the human person to communion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are called not only to receive mercy, but to embody it. Mercy becomes real when we forgive, when we show compassion, when we care for those who suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we approach the Holy Unction, let us do so with faith, as a genuine encounter with Christ, the Physician of our souls and bodies. Let us bring before Him not only our physical ailments, but also our hidden struggles, our fears, our burdens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For in these holy days, we are reminded of a profound truth: that God does not stand far from human suffering. He enters into it. He heals it. And ultimately, through the Cross and Resurrection, He transforms it into life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May we receive His mercy with open hearts and may that mercy become light within us. Amen!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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St. George Cathedral of Stockholm April 8, 2026 Dearly Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we enter more deeply into the solemn days of Holy Week, Holy Wednesday is a day that confronts us with two radically different responses to Christ: the silent, tearful repentance of the woman who anoints Him, and the calculated […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3960,"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":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[21,34,15],"tags":[64,22,24],"class_list":["post-3940","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-homilies","category-metropolitan","category-news","tag-easter-2026","tag-homily","tag-st-georgios-cathedral-stockholm"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/666483191_1249192630700478_478150933549688207_n.jpg?fit=2048%2C1542&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3496,"url":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/h-e-metropolitan-cleopas-homily-on-the-third-stanza-of-the-akathist\/","url_meta":{"origin":3940,"position":0},"title":"H.E. Metropolitan Cleopas\u2019 Homily on the Third Stanza of the Akathist, 13\/3\/2026","author":"mplexus","date":"March 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"[:en] St. George Cathedral of Stockholm Friday, March 13, 2026 Dearly Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In the third stanza of the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos, the Church continues the angelic greeting that began at the Annunciation. After the Archangel\u2019s message to the Virgin, we behold the mystery\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\/03\/featured-8.jpg?fit=800%2C617&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/featured-8.jpg?fit=800%2C617&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/featured-8.jpg?fit=800%2C617&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/featured-8.jpg?fit=800%2C617&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1938,"url":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/the-feast-of-saint-nicholas-at-the-finnish-parish-of-stockholm\/","url_meta":{"origin":3940,"position":1},"title":"The Feast of Saint Nicholas at the Finnish Parish of Stockholm","author":"mplexus","date":"December 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"[:en] On the morning of Saturday, December 6, 2025, His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia presided over the Divine Liturgy in Chorostasia at the festal Finnish Parish of Saint Nicholas in Stockholm. Concelebrating with him were the Very Rev. Archimandrite Bartholomew Iatridis, Parish Priest of Saint George\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\/2025\/12\/featured-3.jpg?fit=800%2C415&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/featured-3.jpg?fit=800%2C415&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/featured-3.jpg?fit=800%2C415&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/featured-3.jpg?fit=800%2C415&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1932,"url":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/h-e-metropolitan-cleopas-homily-on-the-entrance-of-the-theotokos-into-the-temple-and-the-nativity-of-chirst\/","url_meta":{"origin":3940,"position":2},"title":"H.E. Metropolitan Cleopas\u2019 Homily on the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple and the Nativity of Chirst","author":"mplexus","date":"November 23, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"[:en] St. George Cathedral of Stockholm Sunday, November 23, 2025 Dearly Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Let us reflect upon two radiant feasts that illuminate the entire mystery of salvation, the Entrance of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple and the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. At\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\/2025\/12\/featured-2.jpg?fit=800%2C352&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/featured-2.jpg?fit=800%2C352&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/featured-2.jpg?fit=800%2C352&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/featured-2.jpg?fit=800%2C352&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"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":3940,"position":3},"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":[]},{"id":2356,"url":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/st-georgios-cathedral-schedule-for-january-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":3940,"position":4},"title":"St George Cathedral Schedule for January 2026","author":"mplexus","date":"January 2, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"[:en] Schedule of Holy Services of St. Georgios Cathedral, Stockholm, for January 2026. [:]","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/606359753_1173419491611126_5692803842514664923_n.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/606359753_1173419491611126_5692803842514664923_n.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/606359753_1173419491611126_5692803842514664923_n.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/606359753_1173419491611126_5692803842514664923_n.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/606359753_1173419491611126_5692803842514664923_n.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/606359753_1173419491611126_5692803842514664923_n.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4149,"url":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/h-e-metropolitan-cleopas-of-swedens-homily-on-the-bridegroom-service\/","url_meta":{"origin":3940,"position":5},"title":"H.E. Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden\u2019s homily on the Bridegroom Service","author":"mplexus","date":"April 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"[:en] St. George Cathedral of Stockholm Monday, April 6, 2026 Dearly Beloved Brothers & Sisters in Christ, Tonight our Church gathers for one of the most moving services of Holy Week \u2013 the Bridegroom Matins. In this service we sing a hymn that begins, \u201cBehold, the Bridegroom comes at midnight,\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\/04\/featured-9.jpg?fit=800%2C656&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/featured-9.jpg?fit=800%2C656&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/featured-9.jpg?fit=800%2C656&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gomos.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/featured-9.jpg?fit=800%2C656&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3940","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\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3940"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3940\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3979,"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3940\/revisions\/3979"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3960"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3940"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3940"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gomos.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3940"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}