50th anniversary of Metropolitanate of Austria
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Metropolitanate of Austria His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch served the Holy Liturgy in Vienna
The central event of the pastoral visit of Patriarch Bartholomew to Austria was the jubilee – the 50th anniversary of the Greek Metropolitanate in Austria. The solemn Holy Liturgy, on the occasion of this significant jubilee, was served in the church of the Resurrection of Christ in the centre of Vienna.
In his welcome speech Ecumenical Patriarch emphasized the work of previous Metropolitans in Austria: Chrysostom Zita (1963-1991), Michael Staikos (1991-2011) and Arsenios Kardamakis (since 2011). His Holiness especially thanked the current Metropolitan Arsenius for his comprehensive and committed pastoral work in Austria and Hungary, especially in the field of youth work and the organization of catechism in public schools. He also added that similar Metropolitanates were founded in Hong Kong, Singapur, Buenos Aires and Mexico.
The Divine Liturgy was also attended by Metropolitan Emanuel Adamakis from Paris and Metropolitan Nectarios Papadakis from Petra on Cyprus.
Patriarch Bartholomew particularly warmly welcomed His Grace Bishop of Backa and Administrator of the Diocese of Austria-Switzerland Dr. Irinej (Bulovic), and emphasized his archpastoral work and commitments to the Pan-Orthodox and, in general, Christian world. His All-Holiness Patriarch also reminded that in October of this year, upon the invitation of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej, participated in the celebrations in Belgrade, Nis and Podgorica on the occasion of the marking of the 1700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan. Bishop Dr. David of Krusevac was also present here as well as clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church and other Local Orthodox Churches which are present in this country.
Source: OID
