Pastoral Visit of His Eminence Metropolitan John to Ireland 19- 25/11/08 His Eminence, Metropolitan John of Central and Western Europe, accompanied by Archimandrites Athanasios and Damaskinos have just completed a week-long pastoral visit to Ireland On the first day, direct from the airport, he was very warmly received by the local Roman Catholic Bishop in Belfast, Dr Noel Traynor of Down and Connor. He said that “His Eminence John’s visit highlights the Orthodox tradition of our ancient faith. His presence in Belfast is in itself an invitation to all Christians to discover the spiritual heritage and the rich tradition of Orthodox spirituality and theology”. Bishop Traynor also expressed his deep desire to see an Orthodox Centre of Spirituality as well as a monastery in Ireland which will be the “heartbeat” of the Orthodox Church, and undertook to help where he can in assisting us to procure the right property The next day His Eminence met in Armagh with the Primate of the Church of Ireland, Archbishop Alan Harper as well as Bishop Alan Abernethy of Connor. It was indeed a very poignant moment when the Archbishop presented His Eminence with his very own personal prayer book presented to him at the elevation as Archpriest and signed by all the Church of Ireland Bishops in Ireland. This will most definitely remain one of His Eminence’s most treasured moments of his visit. This was indeed an example of brotherly love! Later the same day His Eminence Metropolitan JOHN visited the Roman Catholic Primate, His Eminence Cardinal Sean Brady and the two had very open and frank discussions on a great variety of topics, which these two great leaders and pastors of their flocks have in common Friday morning His Eminence addressed students of various different denominations and other Church leaders at Edgehill Methodist College. His unique way of answering very complex theological questions with very simple but deeply spiritual stories alike those of the desert fathers, was truly a new experience for all present. He also met that day with the President of the Methodist Church, Rev Aian Ferguson as well as the Secretary, the Rev Donald Ker. Saturday night was indeed a very precious occasion when His Eminence put his seal of approval on the four years of preparation of the infrastructure of the parish that was planted in Belfast, with missions now in Dublin, Cork, Armagh and Ballydehob. The Great Vespers nearly filled the new 650 seater Church where no less than 38 clergy from all over Ireland. After Great Vespers His Eminence was scheduled to open the Icon Exhibition. It was very precious to see him invite The Right Rev, Bishop Alan Abernethy, Bishop of Connor to accompany him in putting both their hands on the scissors to cut the ceremonial ribbon During the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy the next day, Paul Totten was ordained into the Holy Deaconate. This was therefore not only the first visit to Ireland of an Antiochian Hierarch, but also the first ordination. In Dublin a very warm welcome awaited his Eminence at Trinity College, St Patrick’s Cathedral and also in the Indian Orthodox Church Finally His Eminence met with all the Antiochian faithful from the Middle East and other local well wishers at the Chapel of the School of St Joseph’s where the Dublin Parish meets. Communications and Press office
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