On the occasion of the memory of the great Enlighteners of Hungary and the State Foundation Day, the Metropolitan of Austria and Exarch of Hungary and Central Europe, Arsenios, visited the Exarchate of Hungary on August 18-20. During his stay in Budapest, the Metropolitan of Austria had the opportunity to meet political leaders of the Hungarian government, and representatives of the Greek Diaspora.
On August 19, Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen in Beloiannisz, accompanied by Protopresbyter Prodromos Laszlo-Katona, Hieromonk Martin, Protopresbyter Büris Füzék, Presbyter Grigorios Nácsinák, Josef Ötvös, Róbert Szentirmai and Archdeacon Maximos Rudko. Political and diplomatic officials, local mayor Konstantinos Papalexis and many faithful attended the Divine Liturgy.
In the evening of the same day, the Metropolitan attended an event organized by the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Hungary and its Secretary-General Vilmos Fischl, on the occasion of Hungary’s National Day, on which Hungary’s first king St. Stephen and the day of the foundation of Hungary are honored.
On August 20, the Metropolitan of Austria presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Chapel of the Exarchate, accompanied by Presbyters Grigorios Nácsinák and Josef Ötvös and Archdeacon Maximos Rudko in the presence of a large number of believers. In his sermon, the Metropolitan referred to the importance of the work of the great Hungarian Enlighteners, who are undoubtedly an example to be imitated for every Christian who wishes to follow Christ and become a partaker of eternal life. He also made a brief reference to the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, Who contributed to the implementation of the plan of the Divine Economy. After the Divine Liturgy, a luncheon took place, where everyone had the opportunity to talk to the bishop and receive his blessing.
Source: Metropolis of Austria