Την μεσημβρία της Παρασκευής, 18 Απριλίου 2025, ο Σεβ. Μητροπολίτης Σουηδίας και πάσης Σκανδιναυΐας κ. Κλεόπας προέστη της ακολουθίας της Αποκαθηλώσεως και του Επιταφίου στην Φιλλανδική Ενορία Αγίου Νικολάου Στοκχόλμης.
Η ακολουθία τελέστηκε από τον Αιδ. Πρωτοπρεσβύτερο κ. Mikko Leistola και οι ύμνοι αποδώθηκαν στην Φιλλανδική, Καρελλική, Σουηδική, Ελληνική και Σλαβωνική γλώσσα, από την πολυμελή χορωδία του ναού.
Στο τέλος της ακολουθίας, ο Σεβασμιώτατος μετέφερε τις Πασχάλιες ευχές του ιδίου και της Επαρχίας του προς τον Προκαθήμενο της Εκκλησίας της Φιλλανδίας κ. Ηλία και τους Κληρικούς και Λαϊκούς της Φιλλανδικής Εκκλησίας, απηύθυνε δε προς το Εκκλησίασμα τον προσήκοντα λόγο της ημέρας και ευχήθηκε το φως της Αναστάσεως να φωτίζει τη ζωή και τα έργα όλων.
Η ομιλία του Σεβ. Ποιμενάρχου κ. Κλεόπα στην Αγγλική έχει ως εξής:
Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden’s Homily
at the St. Nicholas Finnish Parish of Stockholm
Apokathelosis Service, Holy Friday, April 18, 2025
Rev. Fathers,
Dearly Beloved Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
On this Holy Friday, we gather at the foot of the Cross, in awe and reverence, to witness the greatest and most incomprehensible act of love ever known to mankind: the Passion of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As we stand beneath the Cross, let us listen carefully to the voices of the Holy Fathers of the Church, who have illuminated the mystery of Christ’s Holy Passion with their wisdom, and let us allow their teachings to guide us into a deeper communion with the Crucified One.
St. Gregory Nazianzus reflects on this moment: “Christ was both God and man. He did not wish to suffer, but He suffered for our sake. He did not wish to die, but He died so that we may live.” (Oration 45:21)
St. Maximus the Confessor teaches us: “The Crucified One on the Cross is the embodiment of divine love, which is stronger than death, for it is through this love that the world is reconciled to God.” (Mystagogy 1)
Indeed, it is in this act of unimaginable love that Christ shows us the true nature of God; as one who enters into the depths of human suffering, in order to bring about our healing.
St. John Chrysostom writes: “The Cross, which the enemy thought would bring about defeat, has become the very instrument of victory.” (Homily 3 on Colossians)
St. Athanasius teaches us: “By His death, Christ trampled upon death, and through His resurrection, He gave life to all.” (On the Incarnation, 9)
St. Cyril of Alexandria writes: “Christ, the Lamb of God, was offered on the Cross not only for the sake of the Jews, but for the salvation of the entire world. His sacrifice is the fulfillment of all the sacrifices offered in the Old Covenant, for He is both the Priest and the Victim.” (Commentary on the Gospel of John 12:32)
As St. Irenaeus writes: “He has delivered us from the curse, having become a curse for us, and through His death, He has given us the life of eternity.” (Against Heresies, Book 5)
The Cross does not merely represent a historical event, but a living reality that continues to shape the lives of all who come to it in faith. St. Basil the Great teaches, “The Cross is the tree of life, which gives life to those who approach it with reverence. Through the Cross, we are reconciled to the Father and restored to our true nature.” (Letter 9)
St. Athanasius writes: “Christ became what we are so that we might become what He is.” (On the Incarnation, 54). The Cross, then, becomes the bridge between heaven and earth.
As He hung on the Cross, He did not respond to hatred with hatred, nor did He curse those who condemned Him. Instead, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). This is the heart of the Christian life: love and forgiveness even in the face of suffering.
Let us, therefore, approach the Epitaphios with humility and gratitude, and with the promise to follow Christ’s example of humility and love in our daily lives. Amen!
Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη Ενορία Αγίου Ανδρέα Μάλμε 