On Palm Sunday, 5 April 2026, Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint George the Great Martyr and Trophy-Bearer in Vienna. Concelebrating with him were Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Father Ioannis Nikolitisis, Presbyter-Oikonomos Father Aristeidis Ganos, and Deacon Father Georgios Meleskos.
Before the blessing of the palms at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Metropolitan elevated Deacon Georgios Meleskos to the rank of Archdeacon of the Holy Metropolis of Austria and Exarchate of Hungary.
In his sermon, the Metropolitan emphasised the theological significance of the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem, stating that it is not merely a remembrance of a past event, but a living, present ecclesial reality renewed each year within the Church’s liturgical life and bearing eschatological meaning. By entering Jerusalem, Christ inaugurates the Kingdom of God, to which the faithful are called to partake not only in the future, but in the present life as well.
The Metropolitan noted that Christ entered the holy city as King and Lord, yet in a manner that revealed the true nature of the divine Kingdom: meekness, peace, and love. He does not come with earthly power nor does he coerce human freedom; rather, he calls each person to follow him freely. As he emphasised, the Lord’s triumphant entry is accompanied by signs of the Kingdom: prophecy is fulfilled, and children cry out, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”, and the crowd welcomes Christ with branches and garments as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
He then spoke about the spiritual significance of the days ahead. He said that the events of Holy Week are not just historical recollections, but great mysteries in which the Church invites the faithful to participate consciously and experientially. He urged them not to allow Holy Week to pass them by without notice, but to stand before the mystery of the Lord’s Passion as fellow travellers, observers, and participants in the sacred drama, following Christ with faith and love.
He emphasised that true knowledge of God is born of repentance and a pure heart. The Church experiences the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem as an ongoing reality, and each believer is called to welcome Christ into their hearts and allow Him to transform their lives through divine grace.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the palm branches were blessed and distributed to the congregation. In closing, the Metropolitan wished everyone a blessed and holy week, praying that God deems us worthy to stand before the crucified Christ with sincere hearts, always oriented towards the Kingdom of God, and praying not only for our own people, but for the whole world.
Photographs: Ιng. Simos Batzakis
