WESTERN EUROPEAN DIOCESE: 22 October 2025
A cleric of Exaltation of the Cross Cathedral of the Western European Diocese participates in the consecration of a bishop for Sinai

With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, clergy and faithful of Geneva's Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross are currently undertaking a pilgrimage to Cyprus and the Holy Land. On Sunday, by the invitation of His Holiness Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem, Archpriest Emilian Pocinoc of the Geneva Cathedral participated in Divine Liturgy at which the newly-elected Archimandrite Symeon was consecrated as the new Archbishop of Mt Sinai.

The Diocese’s pilgrims were likewise present at the Liturgy, praying for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the new Hierarch, during the course of a Patriarchal Liturgy that lasted over four-and-a-half hours, celebrated by some 30 bishops and nearly as many priests.

Following the Divine Service, Fr Emilian greeted Archbishop Symeon on behalf of Bishop Irenei, and offered him the assurance of the prayers of all the faithful of the Diocese and indeed the entire Church Abroad for his new mission to the whole Church.

Western European Diocese