On Saturday after Mid-Pentecost, May 17, 2025, Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia, accompanied by Archimandrite Bartholomew Iatridis, Priest of the Cathedral of Saint George in Stockholm, and Oikonomos George Arvanitidis, Priest of the Parish of Saints Demetrios and Nestor in Örebro, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Gideonsbergskyrkan in the city of Västerås — a church graciously made available by the Lutheran Church — located one hour by train from Stockholm.
The hymns of the day were chanted by members of the Byzantine Choir of the Stockholm Cathedral, under the direction of Ms. Iliana Antoniou.
In his sermon, the Hierarch of the Northern Lands of the Mother Church spoke on the significance of the Feast of Mid-Pentecost and on the figure of the Samaritan Woman, who later became the Equal-to-the-Apostles Saint Photini. He extended heartfelt thanks to the priests who concelebrated with him, the choir members, and the faithful congregation, with special mention and gratitude to Ms. Britt Marie Zotos for her tireless efforts in preparing and offering the reception that followed in the adjacent church hall.
In the parish hall, the Metropolitan had the opportunity to engage with members of the Greek community of Västerås, to whom he renewed his promise to celebrate the next Divine Liturgy in the autumn.
Later that afternoon, the Metropolitan returned by train to the See of his Eparchy, in Stockholm.
Read below the speech of Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia
Dearly Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Risen Lord,
Christ is Risen!
Tomorrow, the Church brings before us the luminous encounter between the Lord and the Samaritan woman, at Jacob’s well. This meeting is not incidental – it is providential, and it speaks to the deep thirst of the human soul for truth and life eternal.
At first, the woman is skeptical, but slowly, through the Lord’s gentle dialogue, her heart is opened. He reveals her hidden life: “You have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband.” (John 4:18)
Saint Photios the Great teaches that Christ does not shame her but calls her to repentance. The revelation of sin is not for condemnation, but for healing.
Remarkably, this woman -who came to the well alone, possibly out of shame- leaves her water jar behind and runs to the town proclaiming Christ. The jar is symbolic of her former life: earthly, burdensome, and now left behind for a higher calling. Thus, the Samaritan woman becomes Saint Photini, equal to the Apostles.
At the end of the passage, the townspeople proclaim: “We know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42)
The Gospel which began with a single woman at a well ends with an entire village coming to faith. Such is the power of grace, when it meets a heart willing to respond.
Let us imitate Saint Photini. Let us leave behind the jars of sin and self-interest, and go forth to proclaim the Risen Lord, with lives transformed by grace. Amen!
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
