The Metropolis of Vryoula has aquired its first priest to serve the spiritual needs of the Orthodox who live in the area of Vryoula and Erythrae in Asia Minor.
At the request of Metropolitan Panteleimon of Vryoula, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate approved the ordination of the priest.
The new priest is a distinguished Greek astrophysicist, university professor and academic. Emmanuel Sarris has been a Professor of Space Physics at the Democritus University of Thrace, Dean at the particular University for two terms, Director of the Institute of Ionospheric and Space Research of the National Observatory of Athens and corresponding member of the Academy of Athens. Father Emmanuel is married and comes from Vourla in Asia Minor.
His ordination to deacon took place on Saturday, January 25, at the Metochion of Simonos Petra Monastery in Vironas, and, the following day, on Sunday, January 26, he was ordained a priest by the Metropolitan of Vryoula at Pentelis Monastery.
The ordination was also attended by Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia, the former Metropolitan of Herzegovina, Athanasios, and the Abbot of the Penteli Monastery, Metropolitan Ioannis of Thermopylae. Metropolitan Elder John of Pergamon prayed with them.
The Metropolitan of Vryoula pointed out to the new priest the difficulties he would face in his work, saying that “you become a clergyman in an age of darkness, confusion, chaos and uncertainty about the evolution of the century we live in.” He exhorted him to overcome all these by employing all his might and “to support all your efforts in the help and grace of God.”
