Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos at the Orthodox Hermitage near Lake Balaton.
He concelebrated with Hieromonk Martinos, Fr. Laszlo and Archdeacon Georgios, while Fr. Prodromos attended prayerfully.
In his homily, Metropolitan Arsenios reflected on the day’s Gospel reading, emphasizing that Christian faith is not merely an intellectual acceptance of certain truths but a relationship of trust and communion with God.
Referring to Christ’s descent from Mount Tabor and His encounter with a father whose son was suffering, the Metropolitan stressed that salvation does not begin with humanity ascending toward a distant God, but with God descending toward fallen humanity.
He highlighted the father’s prayer, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief,” as an expression of authentic faith, arising when a person recognizes that self-sufficiency cannot bring salvation.
“The summit of faith is not the fulfillment of my own will, but the acceptance of the divine will,” Metropolitan Arsenios said, pointing to Christ’s own example.
He also emphasized the importance of prayer and fasting, not as techniques for acquiring spiritual power, but as paths toward freedom and healing. “When a person ceases to be full of himself, then space is created within him for Grace,” he noted.
Concluding his homily, Metropolitan Arsenios called on the faithful to remain united with Christ, whom he described as the true source of life and healing, and to pray for the purification of their hearts and the healing of their unbelief.
Following the Divine Liturgy, Hieromonk Martinos, head of the Hermitage, offered refreshments to the faithful. A spiritual discussion and fraternal gathering followed.
