Representatives of the Orthodox Churches, together with theologians and historians, gathered in Veria, Greece, from 26 June to 28 June 2026 for the International Scientific Congress Pavleia, which this year was dedicated to the theme ‘St Paul and Holy Baptism.’ The Romanian Orthodox Church was represented by His Grace Bishop Nicodim of Severin and Strehaia.
The programme began on Friday morning at the Veria Municipal Arts Centre with a recital by a Byzantine choir conducted by Fr Athanasios Nikos, a musicologist, who performed hymns in honour of St Paul the Apostle, founder of the local Church.
Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden (Ecumenical Patriarchate) read the message of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Bishop Damaskinos of Mareotis delivered the message of Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria, while Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth conveyed the message of Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.
Greetings were also offered by representatives of the regional and local authorities and of the Faculty of Theology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veria, Naoussa and Kampania then formally opened the congress.
On Friday afternoon, at the opening of the second session, Bishop Dositej of Lipljan read the message of Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, Bishop Nicodim of Severin and Strehaia delivered the message of Romanian Patriarch Daniel, and Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki conveyed the message of Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece.
Patriarch Daniel described the event as “an occasion of profound spiritual joy and deep theological reflection on the mystery of Holy Baptism in the writings of the Holy Apostle Paul”.
“The papers presented at this congress offer participants the opportunity to rediscover the value and significance of the Mystery of Holy Baptism for the lives of the faithful and for the Orthodox Christian witness in today’s society,” the Patriarch added, concluding his message with a blessing for all participants.
The session was chaired by Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki.
The Second Day of the Congress
On Saturday morning, the congress resumed at the Veria Municipal Arts Centre. Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop delivered a message on behalf of Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil, while Bishop Grigorios of Agarak-Tsalka read the message of Georgian Patriarch Shio III.
The third session was chaired by Professor Emeritus Georgios Filias of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, while the fourth session was chaired by Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia, who also serves as Professor at the same university.
On Saturday afternoon, the proceedings continued with messages from Archbishop George of Cyprus and Metropolitan Sawa of Poland. The fifth session was chaired by Professor Emeritus Charalambos Atmatzidis of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Final Day and Concelebration at Panagia Dovra
On Sunday, the final session was chaired by Professor Emmanuel Varvounis, after which Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veria delivered the closing address.
The congress was broadcast live on the Metropolis of Veria’s radio station, Pavleios Logos (90.2 FM).
Also on Sunday, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated at Panagia Dovra Monastery in Veria, presided over by Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden.
Among the concelebrants were Bishop Damaskinos of Mareotis (Patriarchate of Alexandria), Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth (Patriarchate of Jerusalem), Bishop Dositej of Lipljan (Patriarchate of Serbia), Bishop Nicodim of Severin and Strehaia (Romanian Patriarchate), Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop (Bulgarian Patriarchate), Bishop Grigorios of Agarak-Tsalka (Patriarchate of Georgia), Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia (Church of Greece), Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veria, Naoussa and Kampania, Bishop Athenagoras of Domenikos, Abbot of Panagia Dovra Monastery, and Protopresbyter Athanasios Voudouris (Church of Cyprus).
Following the Divine Liturgy, a memorial service marked the tenth anniversary of the repose of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Alexandros of Stavroupolis, the brother of the local metropolitan.
The homily was delivered by Archimandrite Arsenios Haldaiopoulos, Grand Ecclesiarch of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Veria.
Patronal Celebrations
On Sunday evening, the participating hierarchs attended the Vigil Service at the Old Cathedral of Veria. On Monday morning, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated for the patronal feast of the Metropolis of Veria.
The celebrations concluded on Monday evening with a procession to the Altar (tribune) of St Paul, the memorial dedicated to the Apostle’s preaching in Veria, followed by the celebration of Great Vespers.
The International Scientific Congress Pavleia is organised annually by the Metropolis of Veria, Naoussa and Kampania under Metropolitan Panteleimon, a long-standing friend of the Romanian Orthodox Church. This year’s gathering marked the thirty-second edition of the congress.
Photo: Metropolis of Veria, Naoussa and Kampania
