On Pentecost Sunday, June 12, 2022, Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria and Exarch of Hungary presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Vienna, accompanied by the Athonite Archimandrite Fr. Nicon, the Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne, Fr. John, the Hieromonk Fr. Bartholomew, the Elder Fr. Aristides, the Archdeacon Fr. Maximus and a large number of faithful.
The Divine Word was preached by Archimandrite Fr. Nicon, who, on the occasion of the sacred readings, referred to Pentecost, the birthday of the Church and the constant presence of the Holy Spirit for the sanctification and renewal of the man and the world.
“Through the Grace of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Mysteries and every divine and supernatural action of the Saints of God are performed for the salvation of those who freely accept that action”, stressed Fr. Nicon, while presenting experiences from the life of contemporary Saints and lay people.
Afterwards, an Artoclasia was performed, followed by the Vespers with the Kneeling Prayers, during which the congregation, on bended knees, listened to the Metropolitan and the clergymen giving the relevant Blessings to the Triune God. At the conclusion of the Vespers, Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria thanked Fr. Nicon for his participation in the Feast and wished the faithful an abundance of divine grace and blessing.
On Monday of the Holy Spirit, June 13, Metropolitan Arsenios presided again over the Divine Liturgy in the celebrating Holy Cathedral, accompanied by Archimandrite Fr. Nicon, Protopresbyter Fr. John and Archdeacon Fr. Maximus, along with the Athonite Archimandrite Fr. Antypas and the Elder Fr. Aristides.
Fr. Antypas preached the divine word and stressed that the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Holy Trinity, which is identical with the Father and the Son, constitutes “the whole institution of the Church” and guides it in its life-saving work.
“We are called,” he added, “all of us, as the children of the Church, especially today, when we experience negativity and doubt of everything, to love and respect the Church which, as an ‘Ark’, preserves the truths of our Faith, as formulated by the Ecumenical Synods, so that within it the Spirit of Truth may carry out His work of renewal.”
After the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria performed a Trisagion for the repose of the souls of the deceased owners and donors of the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Finally, he thanked the Athonite Hieromonks for their visit to Austria and wished that the life of all in the Church be blessed and guided.
Photos: Metropolis of Austria
