On May 14-16, 2021, Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria visited the Exarchate of the Ecumenical Throne in Hungary, accompanied by the Archdeacon of the Metropolis, Maxim Rudko.
On Saturday, May 15, 2021, he ordained Deacon Zsolt Füzesi as presbyter with the participation of many believers at the Holy Trinity Church in Kecskemét.
In his ordination speech, Fr. Zsolt, realizing the importance of the mystery of the priesthood, thanked God for this gracious and valuable gift, but also Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria for his trust and love.
He also thanked all those who helped him in his spiritual path to the priesthood, promising to serve the church with humbleness and sacrificial offering to others. Moreover, he said he would preach the Gospel in the spirit of the Great Church of Christ in order to contribute to the growth of the congregation.
Then the Metropolitan of Austria stressed the importance and joy of the message of the Resurrection of our Lord.
Addressing the newly ordained presbyter, he made special reference to the spiritual pastoral work, in which he is primarily called to initiate his flock to the victory of life over death, and to the joy that comes after the Resurrection of our Lord.
Finally, he thanked the family of the new presbyter, but also those who attended this important moment in the life of Fr. Zsolt, inviting everyone to support him in his new ministry in the Kecskemét area.
After the Divine Liturgy, a reception followed, where everyone had the opportunity to congratulate the new presbyter and receive the blessing of the Metropolitan, who in the evening of the same day officiated the Vespers at the Chapel of Saints Hierotheos and Stephen in Budapest.
Metropolitan of Austria: May this joy become a personal experience of every believer
The next day, on the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearers, the Metropolitan of Austria presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Nicholas, accompanied by the priest of the Church, Róbert Szentirmai, Presbyter Zsolt Füzesi and Archdeacon Maximos Rudko in the presence of many believers, in compliance with all the COVID-19 restrictive measures.
In his sermon, the Metropolitan referred to the joy of the Myrrh-Bearing women on the occasion of the event of the Resurrection of our Lord, wishing this joy to become a personal experience of every believer. In fact, he invited everyone to remain through prayer united under the resurrection light.
Finally, he thanked the priest of the Parish for his ministry, inviting everyone to support him in his work. A luncheon followed, where everyone had the opportunity to receive Metropolitan Arsenios’ blessing.