wfn.org | ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS CONCLUDES VISIT TO THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SLOVAKIA

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ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS CONCLUDES VISIT TO THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SLOVAKIA

NEW YORK ? Archbishop Demetrios concluded a four-day visit to Slovakia on June 
17, during which he received an honorary doctorate from the University of 
Presov. Bishop Savas of Troas and Archdeacon Panteleimon accompanied His 
Eminence on this trip.

The visit began on Sunday June 13, when Archbishop Demetrios concelebrated the 
Divine Liturgy in the Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov and Sts. Cyril and 
Methodios in the city of Bardejov, with His Beatitude Archbishop Christopher of 
Prague and all Czechia and Slovakia, His Eminence Metropolitan John of Presov, 
His Grace Bishop Savas of Troas and His Grace Bishop Paisios of Goritze 
(Poland).

Following the Liturgy, a blessing ceremony for the new church bell tower was 
held. Later the Mayor of Bardejov Dr. Boris Hanuscak had a very warm welcome 
and an informative discussion with His Eminence in City Hall. In the afternoon, 
Archbishop Demetrios accompanied by Archbishop Christopher and Metropolitan 
John, visited the
?Wooden Home,? an important local museum and the small chapel there dedicated 
to the Three Hierarchs, where a local choir performed religious songs and hymns.

On Monday June 14, the University of Presov bestowed upon Archbishop Demetrios 
an Honorary Doctorate of Theology during a touching ceremony attended by many 
members of the academic community of Slovakia, the dean of the School of 
Theology Rev. Dr. John Zozulak, other officials, faculty members and many 
students and guests.  That evening Archbishop Demetrios paid an official visit 
to Metropolitan John of Presov and Slovakia at the diocesan headquarters. The 
two church leaders discussed the challenges the Orthodox Churches face in 
America and in Slovakia.

On Tuesday June 15, the Archbishop delivered an address as part of the Biblical 
conference organized by the School of Theology at the University of Presov 
entitled ?The Social Work of the Church.? In the evening the Archbishop at the 
invitation of Metropolitan John of Presov visited the Cathedral of St. 
Alexander Nevsky during the vespers service and offered a short address to the 
congregation.

On Wednesday June 16, His Eminence with Bishop Savas and Archdeacon Panteleimon 
escorted by Dean John Zozulak and church officials visited three parishes in 
the towns of Svidnik, Stropkov and Medzilaborce, situated in an area of fierce 
battles during Word War II. In the town of Medzilaborce the Archbishop visited 
the Orthodox orphanage of St. Nicholas, which offers a very impressive service 
to the approximately 80 children enrolled.

Upon his return from this trip Archbishop Demetrios expressed his deep 
appreciation and high esteem for the people of the Orthodox Church in Slovakia 
who offer a strong witness of the healing and constructive power of the faith, 
especially in view of the extremely hard times and persecutions they went 
through for decades.

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