The Metropolitan of Austria at the celebratory Parish of St. Demetrius in Salzburgtranslated

On Monday, October 26, 2026, the feast day of Saint Demetrius of Myrovlytos, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Austria and Exarch of Hungary Mr. Arsenios presided over the High Priestly Divine Liturgy at the celebrating Parish of Saint Demetrius in Salzburg. Together with him, the vicar of the Parish Protopresbyter Zafeirios Koutelieris and Elder Dimitrios Choneutidis from the Holy Metropolis of Germany collaborated. In his sermon, His Holiness spoke about the figure of Saint Demetrius, who with his life, faith and martyrdom revealed the greatness of human existence, when it is illuminated by the grace of God. The feast of every Saint, he emphasized, is an opportunity to reflect on the destination of our lives.

Man was created in the image of God, with the call to reach the likeness, that is, to progress to spiritual perfection and communion with his Creator. Saint Demetrius also followed this path, dedicating his entire existence to Christ. His confession of faith was the fruit of a deep inner life, a heart that had learned to trust God in every circumstance, and his presence strengthened the faith of people and the...