Seventeen priests along with Metropolitan Sotirios and Deacon Christos Voulgaris held an evening Divine Liturgy for the Feast of St. Philothei, the Protectress of the Ladies Philoptochos in Canada, at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, where there is a chapel in the saint’s honour.
During the Divine Liturgy, Deacon Christos Voulgaris was ordained to the Priesthood.
The Divine Liturgy was conducted in a majestic Byzantine manner. Deacon Christos Voulgaris spoke very movingly. Metropolitan Sotirios answered in a fatherly way, and the ordination took place with the full participation and prayer of all pious Orthodox in attendance.
After the Divine Liturgy, a dinner was held at the luxurious reception hall of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis, which was completely overcrowded with people. Four hundred and fifty (450) persons were served dinner, and unfortunately, almost as many had to leave.
The reception was wonderfully organized by the parish priest, Fr. F. Pappas, the President of the Community of Saint Nicholas, Mrs. Sotiropoulou, with the Board of Directors and the Ladies Philoptochos. They really merit our congratulations!
Only E. Sotiropoulos, Archon Ostiarios of our Ecumenical Patriarchate, spoke during the reception. He referred to St. Philothei, the work of the Ladies Philoptochos in Canada and in the service of Metropolitan Sotirios. Metropolitan Sotirios, before blessing the dinner remnants, pronounced some moving, patriotic words. As his birthday coincides with the Feast of St. Philothei, he further remarked that he does not celebrate either birthdays or anniversaries, but asks all Christians to pray for him and our Church in Canada.
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου