During the period of August 5–7, 2026, Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria and Exarch of Hungary visited the Holy Royal Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior, Great Meteoron, at the invitation of Metropolitan Theoklitos of Stagoi and Meteora, in order to take part in the monastery’s feast-day celebrations.
On the eve of the feast, the Great Vespers was celebrated, presided over by Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria, with Metropolitan Theoklitos of Stagoi and Meteora concelebrating. Also taking part were the Abbot of the Holy Monastery, Archimandrite Nifon Kapsalis, the fathers of the brotherhood, and clergy from the holy monasteries and parishes of the region. After the conclusion of Vespers and the Artoklasia (blessing of the loaves), Metropolitan Theoklitos of Stagoi and Meteora warmly welcomed the Metropolitan of Austria, expressing his joy and the honor of having him present at the monastery’s feast. Taking the floor, the Metropolitan of Austria thanked His Eminence the local hierarch, the Abbot, and the monastery’s brotherhood for the honorable invitation and their brotherly hospitality. He also expressed his deep respect for the Holy Domain of Meteora, and especially for Great Meteoron, which for centuries has borne witness to the presence of the Orthodox monastic tradition and has offered spiritual nourishment to the Church and to the world. The Metropolitan noted that many pilgrims from Austria and Hungary who visit Meteora return spiritually strengthened and transformed by the experience of grace offered by this sacred place. He stressed that the rock of Meteora is not merely a natural formation, but has become, through the prayers, struggles, and presence of the monks, a place of sanctification and grace.
On the day of the feast of the Transfiguration of the Savior itself, the Festal Divine Liturgy was celebrated, concelebrated by the two hierarchs, Metropolitan Theoklitos of Stagoi and Meteora and Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria. Taking part were the Abbot of the Holy Monastery, Archimandrite Nifon Kapsalis, the fathers of the brotherhood, and visiting clergy. During the monastic meal, the Metropolitan of Stagoi and Meteora spoke of the profound theological meaning of the feast of the Transfiguration and of the sacred legacy of monastic life in Meteora, then invited the Metropolitan of Austria to address those present. The Metropolitan of Austria, again thanking his hosts for the honorable invitation, spoke with admiration of the Holy Domain of Meteora and the spiritual offering of the Monastery of Great Meteoron. Referring to the mystery of the Transfiguration, the Metropolitan emphasized that Christ did not, at the Transfiguration, become something He had not been before, nor did He acquire a new glory. He was always the pre-eternal Son and Word of God. The Transfiguration constitutes the revelation of His divine glory to the disciples, so that they might come to know the true countenance of the Lord. According to the teaching of Saint Gregory Palamas, as he pointed out, it was not Christ who changed, but the manner in which the disciples perceived Him that was transformed. The grace of God opened their spiritual eyes, so that they might see the glory that had always existed in the Person of Christ. He also stressed that the feast of the Transfiguration reveals the ultimate destiny of humankind. God did not create man to remain a captive of corruption and death, but to become a partaker of divine light and of the life of God. Connecting the event of the Transfiguration with monastic life, the Metropolitan underscored that the struggle for transfiguration lies at the very heart of the monastic path. Monks are called to strive daily for the purification of the heart and for communion with the light of divine grace. “Tabor,” the Metropolitan concluded, “is not a memory of the past, but an invitation for the present. The transfiguration of man is not accomplished in a single moment, but is a daily struggle to become more like Christ.”
On the evening of the feast day, the After-feast Vespers was celebrated, and on the following day the Divine Liturgy was held, along with the customary Memorial Service for the founders of the Holy Monastery. Before his departure, the Metropolitan of Austria once again thanked the Metropolitan of Stagoi and Meteora, the Abbot, and the monastery’s brotherhood, and asked the fathers to pray for the local Church in Austria and Hungary.
