On the weekend, April 30 to May 1, 2022, His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia paid a pastoral visit to the Holy Trinity Parish of Gothenburg, Sweden.
On Saturday, April 30, the Bishop performed the baptisms of the daughters of the Honorary Consul of Greece in Gothenburg, Mr. Christos Kakazoukis, and the next day, Sunday, May 1, presided over (horostasia) the Divine Liturgy, conducted by the V. Rev. Archimandrite Sosipatros Stefanoudis.
Mr. Kakazoukis welcomed the Bishop at the church entrance, while his preschool son hurried to “occupy” the Hierarchical Throne, from which he finally left a few minutes later.
At the end of the Eucharistic gathering, the Metropolitan performed the agiasmos service, on the occasion of the beginning of the new month, as well as the five loaves (artoklasia) service, offered by a family of parishioners.
In his sermon, in Greek and English, the Bishop referred to the dialogue of the Apostle Thomas with the Risen Lord, as well as to the invaluable voluntary contribution of Consul Kakazoukis in the Greek community of the wider area.
In his response, Consul Kakazoukis congratulated His Eminence for his work and thanked him for responding to his invitation, to baptize his children.
Shortly after, Metropolitan Cleopas baptized an adult Swede, who informed him that his three children would soon be baptized Orthodox.
In his speech, the Bishop expressed his gratitude for the decision of the newly illumined, to join the Orthodox faith, and his satisfaction for the continued progress of the missionary work in Scandinavia.
A luncheon followed at the church premises, offered by Messrs. Toulas Nakou, Eleni Kalpaxidou, Louiza Kakazouki and Kyriaki Michail.
In the afternoon, His Eminence returned to the headquarters of his Eparchy in Stockholm, accompanied by Fr. Sosipatros.