In Trieste the church slava solemnly celebrated

The feast-day of Saint Spyridon the Miracle-worker in Trieste was solemnly celebrated this year; this is a great feast-day not only for Orthodox Christians but for all citizens of the city of Trieste as well, regardless of their ethnicity or religious affiliation.

The faithful filled the church of Saint Spyridon of Trimythous at the feast-day’s vesper service which was served by His Grace Bishop Andrej of Austria-Switzerland. The Roman Catholic Church, which celebrates Christmas according to the new calendar, was represented by His Excellency Archbishop of Trieste Giampaolo Crepaldi.

The Archbishop was accompanied by some clergymen and Catholic believers who came to the Orthodox church with great love and respect towards Saint Spyridon and the Serbian community of the city of Trieste. Also the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Church, who celebrate Christmas according to the Gregorian calendar as well, attended the vesper service.

The Eucharistic celebration was enhanced with the attendance of the Mayor of Trieste Mr. Roberto Cosolini, the representative of the Region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia Mr. Gianni Torrenti, head of the Province of Trieste Mrs. Bassa Poropat and other dignitaries of civil and military authorities of the city. Among attendees there were also Consul general of the Republic of Serbia in Trieste, basketball legend Mr. Dragan Kicanovic, priest Vladimir Melnichuk from the Moscow Patriarchate, president of the Greek Community in Trieste Mr. Giorgio Contento, President of the Jewish Community Mr. Alessandro Salonico etc.

The same evening, the delegation of the Diocese of Austria-Switzerland, accompanied by local parish priest Rasko Radovic and Greek archimandrite Gregory, visited the ancient Trieste Cathedral of Holy Martyr Justus of Trieste (San Giusto) and attended the midnight mass which was officiated by Archbishop Crepaldi.

On the next morning His Grace Bishop Andrej of Austria-Switzerland officiated the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy with the concelebration of the priests from the Diocese of Austria-Switzerland.

Source: Diocese of Austria-Switzerland