Bishop Macarie Drăgoi of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe ordained Swedish deacon Serafim Lundqvist to the priesthood on Sunday during the Divine Liturgy at the parish of Sts Theodore the Viking Martyr and his son John, in Leksand, Sweden.
Fr Serafim Lundqvist said the moment of his ordination was both a great blessing and a call to serve.
“It is a great joy for me today to have received the holy priesthood and to continue serving the Lord together with Bishop Macarie. It is also a great joy for us Swedes here to be part of the Romanian Orthodox Church, for which we are grateful for all the care it shows us,” the newly ordained priest told Trinitas TV.
New Members of the Community
During the same service, Bishop Macarie baptised a 28-year-old Thai woman living in Sweden, who received the name Daria in honour of the Martyr Daria.
“I moved to Sweden when I was seven years old. The first time I came to church was almost a year ago. Since then, I have attended the Divine Liturgy here every Sunday, which led to today’s baptism. It was very beautiful, and I am very happy that Bishop Macarie baptised me,” she said.
The bishop also baptised the third child of Fr Serafim Lundqvist and his wife, Olga. The child was named Cleopas in honour of Saint Cleopas Ilie of Sihăstria Monastery.
After the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Macarie met with young people of various nationalities who participated in activities organised by the St Stephen the Great Youth Centre of the Diocese of Northern Europe.
Photo: Facebook / Diocese of Northern Europe
