Yesterday, at Metamorphosis toy Sotiros (Transformation of Our Savior) Holy Church of Tallinn, in an atmosphere full of emotion for the Primate of the Estonian Church, Metropolitan Stephanos of Tallinn and All Estonia’s twenty years presence, the Divine Liturgy was held at the Metamorphosi toy Sotiros Holy Church of Tallinn, the oldest Church of Estonia, with the attendance of hierarchs, clerics and a faithful congregation.
Metropolitan Stephanos chose to hold the Divine Liturgy at the particular Church, where his predecessor, Saint Platon Holy Martyr, Archbishop of Tallinn, is buried.
The Divine Service was also attended by Archbishop Leo of Helsinki and All Finland, and along with the celebrating Metropolitan there officiated the following hierarchs: Ilias of Oulu, Alexandros of Parnu and Saare and Makarios of Christoupolis, Dean of the Theological School.
Bishop Makarios reminded of the historical decision made by the Mother Church of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, to reactivate, twenty years ago, the Autonomous Status of the Church of Ukraine.
Metropolitan Stephanos thanked Ecumenical Patriarch and the Church of Constantinople for their trust and love in him. He also thanked the people and the clerics of Estonia for keeping pace for twenty years.
Next, Archbishop Leo of Helsinki and All Finland praised in his speech Metropolitan Stephanos.
At the end of the event, the epistle by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was read.
Patriarch Bartholomew, in his letter, referred to the personality of Metropolitan Stephanos as follows: “He is a clergyman of merit, who fought vigorously for the establishment of the Autonomous Church of Estonia, with due respect to the tradition and the ecclesiastic Canon”.
The Patriarchal epistle concluded with Bartholomew’s heartfelt wishes for the honored Hierarch.