Metropolitan Iakovos of Mexico and Exarch of Central America and the Caribbean Islands paid his first pastoral visit to the Orthodox flock in the Cayman Islands from May 24 to May 27. Accompanying him was Archimandrite Philaret, Vicar General of the Metropolis, who had previously visited the Islands in March to celebrate the Divine Liturgy for the local faithful.
On Friday, May 24, members of the Orthodox Christian Spiritual Center of the Islands—the parish Mission Council of the sole Orthodox Community of St. Demetrios—welcomed Metropolitan Iakovos and Archimandrite Philaret at Owen Roberts International Airport in George Town, the capital. That evening, meetings with various members of the parish council addressed issues related to the life and activities of the Community, including its future development and sustainability.
As part of his visit, Metropolitan Iakovos met on Saturday, May 25, with Deputy Premier of the Cayman Islands, Andre Ebanks (MP of West Bay South), and Opposition Leader of the Cayman Islands Roy McTaggart (MP of George Town East). Both politicians were briefed on the “Mission of St. Demetrios” in the Cayman Islands, a legally registered religious community.
Later, Metropolitan Iakovos met with Fr. Jerome Small, Rector of the St. George’s Anglican Church, Grand Cayman, expressing gratitude for the Anglicans’ generosity in allowing the Orthodox Community to use their worship spaces for sacred services. The day concluded with a sanctification ceremony for the youth and other faithful of the Community.
On Sunday, May 26, the Sunday of the Paralytic, Metropolitan Iakovos presided over the Divine Liturgy in the Community of St. Demetrios. The service was conducted in both Greek and English to accommodate the diverse nationalities within the Orthodox community in the Cayman Islands, which includes locals, Greeks, Serbs, Bulgarians, Ukrainians, and Egyptians, making it essentially Pan-Orthodox.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the Metropolitan attended a meeting and a dinner with members of the parish council, thanking them for their dedication to the development of the Orthodox Community in the Cayman Islands. He encouraged them to maintain their faith and continue their God-pleasing work, assuring them of the Holy Metropolis of Mexico’s support and the regular dispatch of priests to perform holy sacraments.
Metropolitan Iakovos presented an award to Mrs. Stella Zarafonitis, a distinguished member of the Council and one of the founders of the Orthodox Missionary Community in the Cayman Islands. He commended her persistence and vigor in fostering good relations between the Community and the Metropolis and praised her role in facilitating visiting priests for the celebration of holy mysteries and services.
On Monday, May 27, Metropolitan Iakovos and the Vicar General departed for Mexico, expressing gratitude for the parishioners’ hospitality and urging them to continue praying for the missionary efforts of the Metropolis of the Ecumenical Throne.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
