On the morning of Saturday, December 6, 2025, His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia presided over the Divine Liturgy in Chorostasia at the festal Finnish Parish of Saint Nicholas in Stockholm.
Concelebrating with him were the Very Rev. Archimandrite Bartholomew Iatridis, Parish Priest of Saint George Cathedral in Stockholm, and the visiting cleric from the Holy Archdiocese of Helsinki and All Finland, the Rev. Protopresbyter Mikko Leistola.
The hymns of the day were chanted in Finnish, Karelian, Swedish, Greek, and Church Slavonic by the parish choir, together with members of the Byzantine choir of Saint George Cathedral in Stockholm.
At the conclusion of the service, His Eminence Cleopas conveyed the greetings and blessings of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Primate of the Church of Finland Archbishop Elia, as well as to the clergy and faithful of the Finnish Church.
He also addressed the congregation with the appropriate homily for the feast and offered his best wishes to those celebrating their name day. In his address, the Hierarch stated the following:
“Today our Church honors Saint Nicholas, the protector of sailors, of children, and of all those who seek his help with faith.
The life of Saint Nicholas is a living testimony to the words of Christ that we hear in the Gospel of the Beatitudes; words which reveal the true meaning of holiness and of the Kingdom of God.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit…”! Saint Nicholas, although born into a wealthy family, was truly poor in spirit, that is, humble. He did not keep his wealth for himself but offered it with love to the poor and the oppressed.
“Blessed are the merciful…”! The whole of his life was a life of mercy. He secretly supported those in need, comforted the sorrowful, and stood as a pillar of strength for all who endured hardship. His compassion knew no bounds, because in every person he saw the face of Christ.
“Blessed are the meek…”! Saint Nicholas was a peaceful and gentle man, as the hymnographer also proclaims in his dismissal hymn; indeed, he was truly an image of meekness. Yet his faith was so deep that he defended the truth of the Church with courage, without hatred or desire for revenge.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…”! He defended the innocent, cared for the poor, resisted injustice, and became a symbol of justice for all Christians.
Every Beatitude finds its practical expression in the person of Saint Nicholas. He did not live for himself, but for God and for others. This is the essence of holiness: that our lives reflect the teaching of Christ.
In today’s world, which is often dominated by competition, selfishness, and indifference, Saint Nicholas calls us to look around us with kindness. He teaches us to forgive, to help, to stand beside those who are suffering, and to live out the Beatitudes; not merely in words, but in deeds, as he did.
May Saint Nicholas become a beacon of faith and love, especially for our sailors, who have him as their protector and companion on their difficult journeys.
I wish many happy returns to all members of our parish who celebrate today their name day! May Saint Nicholas guide us, so that we may become truly “blessed” as people of peace, love, faith, and hope. Amen!”
