Metropolitan Polycarpus of Italy, accompanied by Archimandrites Athenagoras and Pavlos and the technical advisor of the Metropolis, Stefano Bottecchia, made his first pastoral visit to the island of Sardinia on June 5-8, 2021.
On the morning of Saturday, June 5, he arrived by boat, via Livorno, in Olbia in northern Sardinia, and headed to the town of Marrubiu (Oristano) in central Sardinia. The Metropolitan visited and inspected the newly acquired asset by notarial act, the Monastery of Saint Antonios the Great.
The Metropolitan was welcomed by Hierodeacon Nestor, the Hierarchical Vicar of Sardinia, Fr. Ioannis, the priest in charge of the Parish of Saint Barbara in Alghero, Fr. Antonios.
The Metropolitan, along with his collaborators both from clergy and laity, immediately addressed the issue of the work to be carried out at the Monastery.
In the afternoon of the same day, he spent the night in Alghero in northern Sardinia. On the morning of Sunday, June 6, he presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Sunday of the Blind Man in the Church of St. Barbara in the local Parish, a building of the 15th century in the center of the city.
During the Divine Liturgy, he ordained Hierodeacon Nestor, who resides in the Monastery of Saint Antonios the Great, as a Presbyter, who would become the new abbot.
During the Divine Liturgy, he ordained Priest of the Parish of Alghero and Hierarchical Vicar of Sardinia, Fr. Ioannis, as Protopresbyter.
The Divine Liturgy was attended by the Bishop of Alghero-Bosa, Mons. Mauro Maria Morfino, and a representative of the Municipality of Alghero.
This was followed by a festive meal offered by the priest in charge and the Council of the local Parish.