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Published by the Greek
Orthodox Archdiocese of America, June 23,
2004
Enthronement of His
Eminence Sotirios, the First Metropolitan of Korea
June 23, 2004
Seoul, Korea - The Enthronement of His Eminence
Sotirios, the First Metropolitan of the Holy
Orthodox Metropolis of Korea took place at St.
Nicholas Cathedral in Seoul Korea on June 20, 2004
following the Divine Liturgy. This historic event
was officiated by Archbishop Demetrios of America,
the Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomew I and the Patriarchal Holy Synod with
the four co-celebrant Hierarchs (HE Dionysios of
Proussa, former Exarch of Korea, HE Euthymios of
Aheloos (Athens), HE Efraim of Hydra, HE Symeon of
Nea Smyrni), Priests and Deacons from Korea,
Greece, America, and Hong Kong.
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios handed the
pastoral staff to the New Metropolitan of Korea at
the Narthix of St. Nicholas Church and delivered
the following address prior to the Special
Ceremony of the Enthronement:
“To the eternal glory of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, and on behalf of His All
Holiness, the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I,
and the Sacred and Holy Patriarchal Synod, I hand
over to You this Pastoral Staff, a symbol of Your
apostolic spiritual responsibility and
Hierarchical diaconia bestowed upon You by the
Lord, as Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of
Korea, and May God help You in everything.”
The Enthronement Ceremony started with the
Doxology, a special Litany and concluded with a
special Petition Prayer from the New Metropolitan
for the New Holy Metropolis of Korea. Archbishop
Demetrios of America, His Eminence Dionysios of
Proussa and His Eminence Euthymios of Aheloos
(Athens) delivered messages of congratulations and
good wishes, especially praising the years of
sacrifice, pain, hard work, patience and the
unending love of His Eminence for the people of
Korea that resulted in this glorious day. His
Eminence Sotirios responded with a message
expressing His heartfelt gratitude to the
Hierarchs, Clergymen, distinguished Guests, and a
special thank you to his coworkers and the laity
who contributed to the establishment of the Holy
Metropolis of Korea. To the New Metropolitan of
Korea, Rev. Protopresbyter Daniel Na delivered a
message congratulations, deep respect and
heartfelt gratitude for the love, sacrifice and
prayers of His Eminence on behalf of the clergymen
and laity of all the Orthodox communities in Korea
and presented a Blessing Cross made of pearl to
His Eminence.
His Eminence Sotirios, the Metropolitan of Korea,
presented a priestly cross engraved with His
Eminence’s signature on the back to each of the
local priests and special crosses to the
Presbyteras and Presidents of the parish board as
a token of appreciation for their contributions to
the Establishment of the Holy Metropolis of Korea.
A Festival Banquet was held by the Newly Enthroned
Metropolitan Sotirios of the Holy Metropolis of
Korea.
Among the honorable guests present at the ceremony
were the Ambassador of Greece, Mr. Constantine
Drakakis, Ambassador of Belarus, Mr. Seneshko and
Representative of the Holy See, Rev. Kurias Malhew
Vayalnnkal (Embassy of the Vatican Korea).
Also present or those who sent congratulatory
messages were:
Minister Chang-Dong Lee, Ministry of the
Culture-Tourism Dept.
Cardinal Stephanos Soo Whoan Kim
Catholic Archbishop of Seoul, H. E. Jin-Suk Jeong
Catholic Bishop of Holy Synod, H.E. Chang Moo
The President of the Korean Conference on Religion
and Peace Rev. Pastor Do-Uoong Paek
Anglican Archbishop of Seoul, H. E. Chul-Bum Jung
Greek Pan Hellenic Korean War Veterans Association
Mr. Jong-Joon Park, the Director of Mapo Police
Station
Mr. Hong-Sub Park, the Director of the Mapo
District Office
Mr. George Il Jin Heo, the President of the
Orthodox Church in North Korea
Mr. Cliff T. Argue, Board of Directors President
and Rev. Fr. Martin Ritsi, Executive Director of
the Orthodox Christian Mission Center
Representative of His Eminence Nikitas of Hong
Kong, Very Rev. Archim. Constantine Tsilis.
This
release was received from Fr. Daniel Na, Dean of
the St. Paul’s Orthodox Church Incheon, Korea
through his publication, St. Paul’s
Orthodox Weekly News.
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