Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria visited Bregenz in western Austria on Sunday, January 12, 2025, as part of his pastoral tour.
He presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the parish of the Three Hierarchs, held in the Seekapelle.
Accompanying him in the service were the parish priest of Innsbruck, Presbyter Stavrophoros Nebojsa Grdinic, Presbyter Vadim Karpenko from Lindau, Germany, and Presbyter Ovidiu Cozma from Feldkirch.
During the Divine Liturgy, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Vorarlberg, Benno Elbs, and other clergy members joined in prayer. The Metropolitan then performed the Blessing of the Waters at Lake Constance (Bodensee) by casting the cross into the waters, followed by the traditional Vasilopita cutting during a community meal.
In his sermon, Metropolitan Arsenios spoke about the gifts from God and the significance of Theophany, urging the faithful to cultivate these gifts activated through baptism and journey towards the Light of Christ.
After the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Benno Elbs addressed the congregation, emphasizing the importance of Epiphany and Baptism for salvation. The Blessing of the Waters was conducted, connecting Austria, Germany, and Switzerland through Lake Constance.
A community meal at a Greek restaurant followed, where the Vasilopita was blessed, and the faithful received a spiritual message from the Metropolitan.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
