The Holy Metropolis of Sweden and All Scandinavia and its Shepherd, His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas, welcomed His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the afternoon of Thursday, August 21, 2025 at Arlanda Airport in Stockholm.

Responding to the kind invitation of Archbishop Martin Modéus of Uppsala and Primate of the Lutheran Church of Sweden, as well as that of Metropolitan Cleopas, Patriarch Bartholomew honored the events organized for Sweden’s Ecumenical Week with his esteemed presence.

The Ecumenical Patriarch was a keynote speaker at three major events hosted by the Lutheran Church. During his stay, he also had the opportunity to offer his blessing at the official dinners and luncheons held in his honor by the Holy Metropolis of Sweden.

Furthermore, he met with Swedish state representatives, delegates from other Christian denominations, and gave His paternal blessing to the clergy and faithful of the Mother Church’s flock in Scandinavia.
It is noteworthy that this marks the third time during Metropolitan Cleopas’ tenure that the venerable Head of Orthodoxy visited the Holy Metropolis of Sweden.

The first visit occurred in 2017, when, for the first time, an Ecumenical Patriarch visited Iceland, served as the keynote speaker at an international environmental conference, and blessed the establishment of the local Orthodox Christian parish dedicated to the Apostle Bartholomew.

The second visit took place in 2019 when His All-Holiness visited Stockholm and blessed the commencement of the external restoration of the St. George Cathedral on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Holy Metropolis of Sweden.

The current third visit culminated on Sunday, August 24, 2025, with the Thyranoixia Service of the Saint George Cathedral of Stockholm, marking the completion of its complete external and internal restoration, where Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy in Chorostasia.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, accompanied by the Members of His Entourage — His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, the Very Reverend Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, the Very Reverend Deacon Epiphanios, and His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia — completed the second day of his official visit to Stockholm on Friday, August 22, 2025.

He visited the Hon. Mr. Jakob Forssmed, the minister responsible for religious communities in Sweden, with whom he held a one-hour discussion.

Following this, the Ecumenical Patriarch attended a luncheon in his honor at a local restaurant, hosted by Mr. Rafail Poumeyrau, volunteer chief legal adviser to the Holy Metropolis of Sweden.

Afterwards, the delegation proceeded to the Lutheran church Filadelfiakyrkan in Stockholm, where the Ecumenical Patriarch delivered a keynote address. Representatives from other Christian denominations also spoke on the occasion of the celebration of the Ecumenical Week.

Later, as part of the same celebrations, His All-Holiness and his entourage attended a series of speeches and events at Grunewald Hall in the Stockholm Concert Hall.

The day concluded with a formal dinner in honor of the venerable Head of Orthodoxy, hosted by the Greek Ambassador to Sweden the Hon. Ms. Aikaterini Foundoulaki at the Ambassadorial Residence in Stockholm.

The third day of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s high-profile visit to Stockholm was successfully completed on Saturday, August 23, 2025.

In the morning, His All-Holiness attended a breakfast along with the members of the honorable Patriarchal Entourage. The breakfast was offered by Archons of the Great Church of Christ, who made the trip from United States. Welcoming remarks and addresses were exchanged from both sides.

Following this, the Ecumenical Patriarch visited the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm, where he and his entourage were received by the Hon. Mr. Yönet Tezel, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Sweden.
Subsequently, Patriarch Bartholomew arrived at the St. George Cathedral of Stockholm, where the book presentation of Metropolitan Cleopas’ latest study entitled “Polyefktos Finfinis, Metropolitan of Sweden and All Scandinavia, 1969–1974″ was held.

The presentation was delivered by His Eminence Metropolitan Agathangelos of Fanarion, Director General of the Church of Greece’s publishing house Apostoliki Diakonia, which undertook the publication of Metropolitan Cleopas’ study. Along with the author, additional speakers included Mrs. Anita Kartalopoulos, First Vice President of the National Philoptochos Society of America, Archon National Commander Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, the Hon. Mr. Ioannis Michail Loverdos, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, and, finally, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Afterwards, Patriarch Bartholomew offered His blessing at a luncheon held in his honor by 130 volunteers from the Holy Metropolis of Sweden, which took place at the Fellowship Hall of the Metropolis Cathedral.
Before the Patriarch’s departure, the Music Ministry of the Cathedral performed traditional songs, accompanied by musical instruments, and chanted the Polychronion for the Patriarch.

At noon, Patriarch Bartholomew and the members of his entourage were warmly received by the Hon. Prime Minister of Sweden Mr. Ulf Kristersson, with whom they had a one-hour discussion.

In the afternoon, the spiritual leader of Orthodoxy and his entourage visited the Lutheran Cathedral of Stockholm Storkyrkan, where, in the presence of the King and Queen of Sweden, the Swedish Prime Minister, and other ecclesiastical and political dignitaries, a celebration was held marking the culmination of the celebrations of the Ecumenical Week, under the overarching theme: “A Time for God’s Peace.”
During this event, His All-Holiness delivered a homily on peace from the pulpit of the Cathedral.

Following that, the Ecumenical Patriarch and his entourage proceeded to the fellowship hall of the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Stockholm, where a reception was held.

The day concluded with a dinner hosted in honor of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and his entourage by the Apostolic Nuncio in Stockholm His Excellency Archbishop Julio Murat of Orange.

On the morning of Sunday, August 24, 2025, the Ecumenical Patriarch presided over the Divine Liturgy in Chorostasia at the Saint George Cathedral of Stockholm, following the Thyranoixia service, marking the completion of the full exterior and interior restoration of the church.

This included the recent installation of a new hand-carved wooden iconostasis, a bishop’s throne, and chanter’s stands, crafted by woodcarvers Mr. Christos and Mr. Dimitrios Karatzas from Ioannina, Greece, as well as 27 newly painted icons by the iconographers Mr. Michail and Mr. Demetrios Androutsos, also from Ioannina.

Present at the Divine Liturgy were His Eminence Archbishop Elia of Helsinki and All Finland, His Eminence Metropolitan Stephanos of Tallinn and All Estonia, His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, and His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia.

Also in attendance were Mr. Dimitrios Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance, accompanied by his wife; Mr. Ioannis Michail Loverdos, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for Hellenes Abroad, accompanied by his 3-member entourage; the Ambassadors of Greece and Cyprus, Ms. Ekaterini Foundoulaki and Mr. Solon Savva, respectively; Ms. Georgia Athanasopulos, Consul General of Panama in the U.S., accompanied by Greek businessman Mr. Manolis Petroyiannis; and the Apostolic Nuncio in Stockholm Archbishop Julio Murat of Orange.

Also present were Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate from United States, along 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 Tsivicos—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, who serve as bearers of the Hellenic spirit and the values of our devout nation.

He also expressed Patriarchal satisfaction with the Shepherd of the Scandinavian lands Metropolitan 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, Metropolitan Cleopas expressed his joy and sentiments over welcoming the Ecumenical Patriarch to his Metropolis for the third time during his tenure, emphasizing the Patriarch’s tireless efforts and paternal concern for the faithful scattered across the world. He asked the Patriarch to bestow His Patriarchal blessing upon the devout flock of Scandinavia.

At noon, His All-Holiness, the patriarchal entourage, and other guests attended a luncheon at the restaurant Cypern, graciously hosted by its owners, Mr. Nikolaos Athanasiou and Mr. Athanasios Kalpakas.
The hymns were chanted by the Rev. Protopresbyter Fr. Demetrios Demosthenous, Presiding Priest of the Apostle Barnabas Cathedral in Nicosia, Cyprus, along with his son Panagiotis and daughter Ioanna, at the right chanter’s stand. At the left chanter’s stand, Dr. Andreas Selamsis led members of the Byzantine choir of the Cathedral.

In the afternoon, the Ecumenical Patriarch, accompanied by Members of the patriarchal dntourage and the Archons of the Mother Church from America graciously accepted the invitation of the Archbishop of the Lutheran Church in Sweden 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.

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 Skogskyrkogården Cemetery, where he held a memorial service (trisagion) at the grave of the late Metropolitan Pavlos formerly of Amaseia for the repose of his soul.

Following this, he proceeded with his entourage to the Stockholm Airport in the Bromma area, from where — after once again expressing his gratitude to Metropolitan Cleopas for the hospitality he extended, conveying the Patriarchal satisfaction over the work being carried out, and bestowing His Patriarchal blessing and wishes — he departed for Rimini, Italy.

Our prayer is that the Lord may grant many years to the Ecumenical Patriarch, the Spiritual Father of millions of Orthodox faithful around the world, and bless him with health and strength to continue fulfilling his manifold duties, bestowing his blessing for the spiritual progress of the children of the Mother Church across the globe, and for peace throughout the world!