On November 1, 2021, Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria and Exarch of Hungary and Central Europe presided over the Divine Liturgy on the feast of Saints Anargyroi Kosmas and Damianos in Graz, Austria.
In his speech, the Metropolitan highlighted the great importance of the local parish community.
The parishioners are together in the area of the Holy Temple to praise God, to sing the hymns of the Liturgy, and to participate in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. In this way, Christians work for Salvation. This work was entrusted by the Lord, the Metropolitan stressed, to the Apostles and they founded the first Christian communities. Through the Bishops, successors of the Apostles, the Church of Christ spread and continues to offer to the people of the whole universe true redemption.
“It is beautiful and symbolic the gathering of the faithful around their Bishop who unites them as the Church of Christ,” said Metropolitan Arsenios and continued with reference to the work of the celebrated Saints Kosmas and Damianos who offered free healing services to the soul and body of both Christians and non-Christians. The celebration of the memory of Saints Anargyroi reminds everyone of the commandment in the Old Testament to honor doctors and to take care of the good health of our fellow humans with our responsible behavior.
After the Divine Liturgy, the “huts” of the Saints were blessed, an artoklasia was offered and a Trisagion was performed for the repose of the souls of the deceased members of the Parish. This was followed by a reception prepared by a group of parishioners under the guidance of the Protopresbyter Fr. Dimitrios who, after receiving the warm congratulations of His Eminence, thanked the Metropolitan for his visit to Graz and presented him with a gift from the Parish for the completion of 10 years of Hierarchy in Austria and Hungary.