Speech by H.E. Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden at the Ceremony Honoring Archbishop Benjamin Atas

St. Ephrem Syriac-Aramean Cathedral, May 26, 2022

Your Eminence Archbishop Benjamin,

Reverend Members of the Clergy,

Honored dignitaries and distinguished guests,

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,

ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! – CHRIST IS RISEN!

I am humbled to join you this evening, at the gracious invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin, as we celebrate the conferral of this royal commendation by the King of Sweden and special medal upon him by the Royal Patriotic Society “Kungliga Patriotiska Sällskapet” in recognition of his many achievements and seminal ministry to the Syriac-Aramean Community and Swedish society in general.

I would like to begin by publicly conveying the personal blessings and congratulations of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Archbishop Benjamin for his decades of inspired ministry and for the reception of this award, which he so worthily receives this evening, as well as to all the members of the Syriac-Aramean Community who rejoice in this honor bestowed upon their spiritual father.