During this joyous paschal period, we are pleased to announce to the flock of the Mother Church of Constantinople in Scandinavia that, by the Grace of God, the consecration of the chapel bearing the name of our father among the saints Nicholas the Wonderworker Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, which is located inside the Hermitage founded by the ever-memorable Archimandrite Elder Eusevios Vittis in Rättvik, will take place this coming November.
The timing of this decision was inspired by two events. The first one is the undated letter of congratulations written by the ever-memorable Elder Eusevios to the then newly-elected Metropolitan of Sweden Pavlos Menevisoglou, in which, among other things, he invites him to visit the Hermitage following his enthronement and officiate the consecration of the chapel.
In his letter, the ever-memorable Founder wrote: “It would be a great joy for me if Your Eminence would be so inclined as to officiate the consecration of the St. Nicholas chapel, which serves as the spiritual center of this humble space.” (Metropolitan Cleopas Strongylis of Sweden, The Missionary Ministry of Archimandrite Eusevios Vittis in Scandinavia 1965-1980, published by the Apostoliki Diakonia of the Church of Greece, p. 154).
The second event is the fact that this year marks the tenth anniversary of the conveyance of the Hermitage to the Holy Metropolis of Sweden, which took place specifically on November 9th.
Thus, fifty years after the letter from the Hermitage’s Founder Fr. Eusevios to the late Metropolitan Pavlos and ten years from its conveyance to the Holy Metropolis of Sweden, by a fortunate coincidence and the Grace of God, the consecration will take place as follows:
– On Friday, November 8, 2024, at 7 p.m. the festal Vespers commemorating our Father among the saints the Metropolitan of Pentapolis Nectarios of Aegina will be celebrated. Prior to the Vespers, the Archpastor of the Metropolis His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia will entomb the holy relics of saints in the Holy Altar and subsequently preside over the holy service in chorostasia.
– On Saturday, November 9, 2024, to facilitate the faithful traveling from Stockholm and all throughout Scandinavia, the service of Matins will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the Divine Liturgy for the consecration of the chapel, presided by the Metropolis’ Archpastor, will begin at 11 a.m.
– A luncheon will follow on site at the Hermitage at 1:30 p.m.
The spiritual children of Elder Eusevios, as well as all devout Christians, are invited to partake in this spiritual joy of our local Church, with the certainty that his soul will rejoice in seeing his longstanding desire come to fruition. May his blessing be upon us!
