His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia arrived in Oslo, Norway, at noon on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, to preside over the Divine Liturgy on Christmas feast day.
Afterwards, he visited the Metropolitan Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Oslo to oversee the restoration work in the fellowship hall, meeting with the project manager and members of the parish council.
On Christmas Day, the Metropolitan conducted the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Church with the assistance of Rev. Economos Fr. Maxime Lesage and Rev. Fr. George Kanakaris from the Holy Metropolis of Arta.
The Cathedral’s Byzantine choir, led by Mr. Panagiotis Katsivalis, chanted the hymns of the day.
During the service, the Metropolitan read the Patriarchal Encyclical for Christmas and appointed Fr. Maxime Lesage as Protopresbyter in recognition of his dedicated ministry.
In his closing remarks, the Metropolitan blessed the Greek community in Norway and Scandinavia, wishing them health, progress, prosperity, and peace for the upcoming year.
Later that day, Metropolitan Cleopas visited Father George’s family and enjoyed a traditional Finnish meal with Mrs. Maisi Bäckman and her family.
The following morning, Metropolitan Cleopas returned to the Metropolitan Church to discuss the restoration work with the project manager and provide guidance to the clerics for the new year, before heading back to Stockholm.
Photos courtesy of Mr. Michael Bikoulis & Mr. Spyridon Stouraitis.
