With the permission and blessing of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon officiated the Divine Liturgy in the Metropolitan Church of St. Stephen of Paris.
The Patriarchal Vicar, Bishop Eirinaios of Rigion, and Bishop Maximos of Melitini attended prayerfully the service.
After the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Bishop of Rigion spoke about the Elder Metropolitan, making an extensive review of his 18-year pastoral work as Shepherd of France.
The Ambassador of Greece to France, Aglaia Balta, and the President of the Greek Community of Paris, Seta Theodoridou, delivered speeches.
The Elder Metropolitan then expressed his gratitude to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and to the Holy Synod. He thanked everyone for their support during the years during his ministry in the diocese of the Ecumenical Throne, asked for their prayers for the continuation of his ministry in the Mother Church and urged everyone to continue the work carried out by the Church in the blessed country, France.
