Visit of Metropolitan JOHN

November 20th through the 23rd we had the great honour and privilege of welcoming to Belfast our newly enthroned archbishop, His Eminence Metropolitan JOHN of Western & Central Europe.

During his visit, he fulfilled a number of engagements, including the ordination of Paul Totten into the diaconate. The main public event was on Saturday, 22nd November, when Metropolitan JOHN presided at the Hierarchical Great Vespers. On Sunday the 23rd he presided at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy that included the ordination into the diaconate of Paul Totten. Needless to say, these services were well attended, with many guests and well-wishers joining with us.

The visit of Metropolitan John roused the intrest of many people in Belfast and the surrounding area, and received broad coverage in the media. The following are links to online newspaper articles on the event:

The Irish times

Christian Today

Church of Ireland Press Release

Icon Exhibit

During his visit His Eminence opened the Orthodox Icon Exhibition being held at St. Ignatius. This exhibit features a display of icons from around the world. Some are large, some are small; some are originals, some are prints. Initially the Icon Exhibition will be open on Wednesdays from 10am to 8pm as well as Saturdays from 10am to 4 pm. We will eventually have it open to the public on a daily basis.

Metropolitan JOHN of Western and Central Europe

His Eminence, Metropolitan JOHN (Yazigi), has a distinguished record of service to God and to His Church.  He was born in 1955 in Lattakia, Syria, and has served as deacon, priest and bishop in Syria and Lebanon.  He was Bishop of Pyrgou (Al Hosn) in Syria from 1995 until his election as Metropolitan of Western and Central Europe in 2008.  He served as dean of the Institute of Theology in Balamand, Lebanon from 1988- 1991 and from 2001-2005.

As Metropolitan of Western and Central Europe, Metropolitan John resides in Paris.  He is the spiritual father to the Antiochian Orthodox communities in Western Europe, including Germany, the United Kingdom and Ireland. His Eminence is the author of several books on theology, education, music, and liturgy. He published a series on liturgical studies. He edited the liturgical books of the Orthodox Church in Arabic. In addition, he translated and wrote many articles, and lectured in a number of universities, parishes and institutes.