GERMAN DIOCESE: March 6, 2017
On the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, All-Orthodox Services at Holy New Martyr’s Cathedral in Munich

On the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, March 5, 2017, Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia Cathedral in Munich, Germany, hosted divine services which were a rare reflection of the spirit of Universal (Ecumenical) Orthodoxy.

Before commencing a gathering of the Orthodox Episcopal Conference of Germany on that day, bishops of the German Conference of Local Orthodox Churches joined for divine services at the cathedral, which is under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. Leading the services was His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany, who was joined by His Eminence Metropolitan Isaak of Germany and Mid-Europe (Antiochian Orthodox Church); His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Middle and Northern Europe (Romanian Orthodox Church); His Eminence Archbishop Feofan of Berlin and Germany (Moscow Patriarchate); His Grace Bishop Sergij of Frankfurt and Germany (Serbian Orthodox Church); His Grace Bishop Agapit of Stuttgart (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia); His Grace Bishop Sofian of Kronstadt (Romanian Orthodox Church), as well as priests and deacons of the Russian, Serbian and Romanian Orthodox Churches. Praying in the altar during Divine Liturgy was His Eminence Metropolitan Augustine of Germany and Mid-Europe (Constantinople Patriarchate).

At the end of Liturgy, at which a great multitude of believers partook of the Holy Gifts, the Rite of Orthodoxy was performed with the customary intonation of anathemas and the singing of Many Years and Memory Eternal.

The hierarchs then shared a trapeza luncheon with the worshipers. In his keynote address, Metropolitan Augustine noted that traditional family values are under siege in today’s Europe, and invoked Divine blessings upon the families in attendance.

That evening, the traditional “meeting of the choirs” was held in All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, featuring singing from various choirs of the Orthodox churches in Munich.