In the preludes of Holy and Great Lent, Rev. Metropolitan of Sweden and all of Scandinavia Mr. Cleopas visited the Parish of St. Glorious Neomartyr George in Ioannina, in Roskilde, Denmark, on the two days of February 25 and 26, 2023, being close to the expatriates there, members of the flock of the Mother Church of Constantinople, in the Scandinavian country of the north.
His Eminence arrived at Copenhagen Airport on the morning of Saturday, February 25, 2023, where he was received by Archimandrite Mr. Alexandros Loukatos, Head of the Metropolitan Church of the Annunciation, Oslo, who traveled by road from Oslo.
On the same day, the Bishop met with expatriates living in Copenhagen and Roskilde.
The next day, Sunday of Tyrofagos, February 26, the Most Reverend dean of the High Priestly Divine Liturgy, in the Parish of Agios Georgios in Ioanninis Roskilde, with the participation of Fr. Alexander.
At the end of the Eucharistic gathering, the Pastor welcomed the new Ambassador of Greece to Denmark, Ex. Mr. Francis Kostellenos, and his wife Panagiota, who prayerfully participated in the Divine Liturgy, conveying the paternal wishes of His Holiness Panagiotitos, the Ecumenical Patriarch Mr. Bartholomew.
The Pastor heartily thanked Fr. Alexandros, for the trouble to which he was subjected, to travel by road six hours from Oslo, and wished the churchgoers the best for the entrance to Holy and Great Pentecost.
A reception followed in the reception hall of the church, where the Metropolitan had the opportunity to talk with members and friends of the parish, who came from many parts of the country, as well as several young scientists active in Denmark, as well as visitors from Greece.
This was followed by the baptism of an adult Dane, who was given the name Damianos, in honor of Saint Anargyros Damianos, as he is also a doctor. His Eminence asked all those present to have Damiano in their prayers every day.
He wished him to be like his patron saint and to become a missionary in his hometown, to the glory of God and an experiential approach and fulfillment of Christ’s command: “Go forth, make disciples of the nations”.
