15 August 2026

The Greek Metropolis of Sweden and All Scandinavia was led for forty years by Metropolitan Pavlos Menevisoglou (1974–2014). Born in Istanbul in 1935, Pavlos was ordained deacon in 1956, graduated from the Theological School of Halki in 1958, and served for many years in the Patriarchal offices in Constantinople before his election as Metropolitan of Sweden and All Scandinavia in 1974. Under his long tenure the Metropolis acquired churches in Stockholm, Uppsala, Göteborg and Oslo and established a stable presence across the Nordic countries. He retired in 2014 with the title of Metropolitan of Amaseia and was succeeded by Cleopas Strongylis.

When Metropolitan Cleopas arrived in Stockholm in 2014 he inherited a structure that was in many respects rundown. The historic St George Cathedral had not been renovated for more than 130 years and was in poor condition. There was no proper residence for the metropolitan, and the administrative and pastoral infrastructure was weak. At the time of his arrival only one clergyman was serving in the entire Metropolis. Against this background the subsequent expansion must be noted: the clergy was increased to eleven or twelve, ten new ecclesiastical communities were established across Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland, more than 170 adults were received into the Church through baptism or chrismation, Swedish and other languages were introduced into the services, and extensive renovation works were carried out on the Stockholm cathedral, the Metropolitan Church of the Annunciation in Oslo and the Hesychasterion in Rättvik. A museum of Hellenic-Christian heritage, a library and new offices were also created within the cathedral complex.