At the invitation of Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church in Covina, CA and with the blessings of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco is pleased to welcome His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia from November 7 – 11, 2018. Metropolitan Cleopas is a 1994 graduate of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and continued his doctoral studies in the Old and New Testament of Boston University and Harvard Divinity School. In 1996 he was awarded a Doctorate of Theology from the Theological School of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki.
Metropolitan Cleopas served as a clergyman in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at parishes in Corona, NY; Lowell, MA and then as Dean of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Boston until his elevation as Metropolitan of Sweden in 2014. Metropolitan Cleopas is also a distinguished author and has published nine books and many papers in various prestigious theological and historical journals, including St. Nectarios of Pentapolis and the Island of Aegina: The Monastic Ideal.
“We are excited to welcome His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas to our Metropolis, and to share his insight into the life of Saint Nectarios of Aegina,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “I know that our clergy and faithful will benefit from his vast knowledge and it will be a blessing for all those who will have the opportunity to interact with him during his visit to the west coast.”
The primary purpose of the visit of Metropolitan Cleopas will be for the celebration of the Feast of Saint Nectarios. His schedule will include the following services and presentations:
Wednesday, November 7
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Belmont, CA
11:00 a.m. Bay Area Clergy Synaxis
Thursday, November 8
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in San Francisco, CA
9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Holy Archangels
Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church – Covina, CA
7:00 p.m. Hierarchical Great Vespers for the Feast of Saint Nectarios
Community Dinner to follow
Friday, November 9
Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church – Covina, CA
Feast of Saint Nectarios
9:00 a.m Orthros
10:00 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy - Luncheon to follow
1:00 p.m.Los Angeles Area Clergy Synaxis
Saturday, November 10
Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church – Covina, CA
5:00 p.m. Hierarchical Great Vespers
7:30 p.m. Special Presentation by His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden
Sunday, November 11
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church – Long Beach, CA
9:00 a.m. Orthros
10:00 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy