Warsaw Cathedral celebrates Feast of St. Mary Magdalene with Pan-Orthodox gathering

The Orthodox Church in Poland solemnly celebrated the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, Equal-to-the-Apostles, on August 4, with festive services at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene in Warsaw, the principal church of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church.

Clergy and faithful from dioceses across the country gathered for the cathedral’s patronal feast. The celebrations began on the eve of the feast with an All-Night Vigil led by Archbishop George of Wrocław and Szczecin, in the presence of Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland, together with other hierarchs and clergy.

On the feast day, two Divine Liturgies were celebrated, with the main service presided over by Metropolitan Sawa and concelebrated by Archbishop George, Archbishop Gregory of Białystok, Bishop Gerasim of the Orthodox Church in America, Bishop Paweł of Hajnówka, and numerous clergy.

In his homily, Archbishop George reflected on St. Mary Magdalene’s unwavering love for Christ, emphasizing that true gratitude to God arises from a personal encounter with His grace. He noted that the saint became one of the first witnesses of Christ’s Resurrection because her love overcame fear, reminding the…