His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia welcomed the President of Cyprus’ House of Representatives Mr. Demetris Syllouris on Thursday, June 15, 2017, during the latter’s visit to the St. George Metropolis Cathedral as part of his official trip to Stockholm.

House President Syllouris was accompanied by Cyprus Ambassador to Sweden Mr. Andreas Kakouris, House of Representatives Director-General Ms. Vasiliki Anastasiadou, House Public Relations Director Ms. Eva Hatziyanni, Cyprus Consul Mr. George Loizou, and Ms. Anna-Sara Hultgard Czernich of the Swedish Parliament’s international relations department. 

After welcoming House President Syllouris, Metropolitan Cleopas conveyed the blessings of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and gave him a tour of the Cathedral, while informing him about the Cathedral’s history and the efforts currently underway to bring about its complete renovation and maintenance. 

Following the tour, a reception was offered in honor of the Cyprus House President and the officials accompanying him, during which Mr. Syllouris offered a briefing on his second visit to Stockholm.

He had visited Stockholm once before in 2009 as Chairperson of the House Committee on European Relations. During the conversation, Mr. Syllouris expressed his interest in the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the spiritual ministry of the Holy Metropolis of Sweden and Greek Education in Scandinavia. 

Metropolitan Cleopas spoke about the multifaceted ministry of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and placed a special emphasis on its initiatives on behalf of the environment and the peaceful coexistence and collaboration of people of all nations. 

Afterwards, he elaborated on the ministries of the Holy Metropolis, which include providing support and assistance for newly arrived Greeks to Scandinavia, whose numbers have grown significantly due to the economic situation in Greece.

“Every effort is being made to support our brethren spiritually and in other aspects of their lives, which is why four new parishes have been established over the past three years and eight new clergymen have been ordained or received into the Metropolis to serve this purpose,” the bishop noted.

The Metropolitan stressed the importance of the Hellenic Community in Scandinavia being served through the excellent cooperation of all the appropriate institutions, such as the embassies of Greece and Cyprus, local Greek Schools, Hellenic associations, etc. Moreover, he hailed the work of outgoing Cypriot Ambassador Kakouris, the excellent collaboration enjoyed between the Metropolis and the Embassy, and the relationship of friendship and trust that was developed during this period, which will continue even after the Ambassador’s return to Cyprus to assume his new duties.

In regards to Greek Schools, Metropolitan Cleopas mentioned that the local Church’s interest in education translates to frequent visits to them and invitations to students to actively participate in the life of the Church.

In response to a question on the existence and operation of Sunday Schools, Metropolitan Cleopas explained that catechetical programs are offered to children every Sunday following his sermon, with the assistance of four Greek doctors who have undertaken this ministry at the Cathedral. Similar catechetical ministries are offered at all the parishes in Sweden and the other nations under the jurisdiction of the Holy Metropolis. 

Metropolitan Cleopas cited the translation of the children’s book “The Story of a Little Angel” into Swedish as one example of the Metropolis’ support for the Metropolis’ catechetical ministry, which aims to serve the needs of young children and the Metropolis Sunday Schools, while pointing out that the translation of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom has already been translated into Swedish based on the original Greek text and the new English translation recently released by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

“This ministry is of historic importance and will greatly contribute to the better understanding of the Divine Liturgy – especially by the younger generations of Greek Scandinavians, the majority of whom are born from mixed marriages, as well as the growing number of converts who are joining the Orthodox Church,” Metropolitan Cleopas stated.

The meeting between Metropolitan Cleopas and House President Syllouris, which was conducted in a cordial atmosphere, concluded with the exchange of commemorative gifts and a photo opportunity. 

On Wednesday, June 14, 2017, Metropolitan Cleopas attended an event at Stockholm’s Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities as a guest of the Embassy of Cyprus, with House President Syllouris in attendance to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Swedish-Cypriot Archaeological Mission. This event was followed by a tour and presentation of the exhibitions.

Photos courtesy of Ms. Athena Arsalidou & the Metropolis of Sweden.