On June 28-29, 2017 the Möjligheternas Mötesplats Conference was held in the Swedish city of Hultsfred, focusing on the issues of asylum and migration. Hultsfred is located about 1.5 hours away by automobile from the Greek Orthodox parish of Apostle Cleopas in Kalmar.

His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia, who was one of the keynote speakers at the conference, attended at the invitation of the conference organizer, Mr. Anders Blomqvist.

This conference, currently in its second year, was attended by over 150 persons, including local community representatives, civic leaders, business leaders, academicians, etc. The findings and conclusions of the conference aim at advancing the dialogue and concern over the successful integration of refugees and migrants in Swedish society.

Metropolitan Cleopas delivered a speech in English on the issue of “The Eastern Orthodox Church’s Perspective on Matters Pertaining to Asylum and Immigration.”

After thanking the organizers for their invitation, he began by offering thoughts about the term “xenophobia,” which is of Greek origin, but used worldwide. According to the Metropolitan, this word identifies a major challenge that modern societies are called to meet and handle – a challenge that aims directly at the heart of the vision and ideals of the European Union.

In contrast, he introduced another Greek term – “philoxenia” – explaining that it negates the former. This term is used both by classical authors and the Holy Scriptures to refer to a religious and moral duty towards one’s fellow man.

Metropolitan Cleopas cited the examples of the hospitality provided by Abraham in the Old Testament and Jesus’ reference to the Last Judgement which appears in the Gospel of Matthew, noting that both examples point to all Christians’ ability to meet and encounter Christ in the face of their suffering fellow men and women. 

Elsewhere, the Metropolitan explained that this model of support for the marginalized people of society, as has been handed down by the founder of the Church, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Apostles, must be espoused as the solution to the multifaceted challenges facing the world today.

He pointed out that through the person of Jesus Christ, the philanthropic and social aspect of the Church manifests itself as the spiritual institution par excellence for the advancement of philoxenia. 

At the heart of the Metropolitan’s speech was a detailed reference to the message proclaimed by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader to the world’s some 300 million Orthodox Christians, who has called upon the international community to meet the new challenges that appear in this age of revolutionary change. 

In his recent encyclicals and speeches, Patriarch Bartholomew has drawn a parallel between the newly born Christ child and modern-day “political refugees,” making frequent mention of refugees and their parents who are desperately fleeing from their ancestral homes in order to save their lives.

As noted by the Ecumenical Patriarch, this further increases the responsibility of everyone who has the privilege of living in a peaceful society and enjoying prosperity to help their fellow men and women, while placing the onus on the international community not to stand idly by, but to actively display its love and support for the drama that our brethren refugee are experiencing. 

His All Holiness reiterated this call for solidarity and international collaboration during the joint visit that he conducted to the Greek island of Lesbos in April 2016 together with His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece and Pope Francis. 

Metropolitan Cleopas continued his speech with a detailed account and statistics regarding the enormous philanthropic and humanitarian work being offered by the Church of Greece, which, following the Ecumenical Patriarch’s example, has shown exemplary solidarity despite the fact that it has been called to address two major crises – the financial and refugee crises affecting Greece.

The Metropolitan pointed out that a colossal labor of love is being offered under the leadership of Archbishop Ieronymos, citing the remarkable statistical evidence that supports this statement, including a huge network of soup kitchens for the poor operating all across the country, as well as dozens of institutions providing hospitality and support for people of all ages and social demographics, with a special emphasis on at-risk social groups. 

Metropolitan Cleopas concluded his speech focusing on the ministries offered by the Holy Metropolis of Sweden and All Scandinavia, which, as an eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, supports the vision of Patriarch Bartholomew.

Over the past three years, a systematic effort to broaden the Metropolis’ ministries in the five nations encompassed under its spiritual jurisdiction – Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Greenland – is being undertaken, aimed at promoting social integration, including newly arrived migrants. 

The sharp rise in new migrants from Greece who are arriving in Scandinavia as a result of the economic crisis presents a unique challenge for the Metropolis of Sweden, which puts forth every effort to provide them with multifaceted support. As evidence of this ongoing effort, the Metropolitan mentioned the establishment of four new parishes and a monastery, while also pointing out that eight new clergyman have been ordained to serve in the Metropolis.

Furthermore, he stated that the Metropolis recently became a full-fledged member of the Christian Council of Sweden, is publishing a translation of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom into Swedish, has undertaken a large-scale fundraising campaign for the complete renovation of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Stockholm, and continues to promote and encourage volunteerism to help further develop its ministries. 

Moreover, the Metropolitan noted that efforts are underway to establish a cultural center that will serve as the home base of youth camps, house a museum, host conferences and events for the promotion of the Hellenic Christian legacy and the preservation of the environment, thereby also supporting Patriarch Bartholomew’s environmental concerns and vision. 

In conclusion, Metropolitan Cleopas noted that all of the aforementioned ministries are aimed at providing spiritual support for his flock and connecting it with local society, so that the resulting interaction may prove mutually beneficial. He reiterated that this is the message of the Orthodox Church, which bears a message of love, solidarity, and selfless contribution. 

Thanking Mr. Blomqvist for his kind invitation, Metropolitan Cleopas congratulated him for the successful organization of this year’s conference and offered him a commemorative gift on behalf of the Ecumenical Patriarch.

On the afternoon of June 28th, Metropolitan Cleopas returned to his see in Stockholm after first visiting the parish priest of the Apostle St. Cleopas Church in Kalmar, the Rev. Economos Christos Letsios, his wife Despina, and the local parish council. 

The conference was covered at length by the local media.

Photo Credit: Holy Metropolis of Sweden, Anders Blomqvist, Muncipality of Hultsfred.