Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia visited Oslo on Saturday morning, May 11, 2024, to celebrate a baptism at the Metropolitan Church of the Annunciation. The parish priest, Economos Dr. Maxime Lesage, assisted him during the ceremony.
Following the baptism, Metropolitan Cleopas led a meeting with the parish council to discuss various issues related to the progress of the parish and the renovation of the church hall.
Later that day, he attended a dinner hosted by parishioner Mrs. Angeliki Kruse Jensen, joined by members of the parish council.
On Sunday morning, May 12th, the Metropolitan presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Church in Oslo, with assistance from the parish priest Lesage and Deacon Dr. Volodymyr Pozhydayev. The service was also live-streamed on the parish’s Facebook page.
In his sermon, Metropolitan Cleopas reflected on the Gospel reading for the Sunday of St. Thomas, emphasizing the importance of faith and spiritual understanding.
Following the Liturgy, a reception was held in the church’s atrium, attended by various dignitaries, including Konstantinos Danassis from the Greek Embassy in Norway and Mr. Nikolaos Gavrielides, the new President of the Greek School in Oslo.
The celebration continued with hymns chanted in multiple languages, showcasing the diversity of the parish community.
Metropolitan Cleopas also met with the parish council and contractors overseeing the church hall renovations, receiving updates on the progress of the projects.
Before departing for Stockholm, the Metropolitan visited the home of a parish council member for a luncheon and announced plans for his next visit to Oslo in June.
Photo credit: Mr. Michael Bikoulis
