Memorial Service held for the late Archbishop Pavlos Varnavas – Cathedral of Saint George, Cape Town

Archbishopric of Good Hope

On Sunday 18 January, His Eminence Archbishop Sergios, Metropolitan Bishop of Good Hope, officiated at the Service of the Holy Eucharist together with Reverend Father Nikolaos Giamouridis and Deacon Father Michael Simos. The 16th memorial Service for the late Archbishop Pavlos Varnavas, Metropolitan of Good Hope was held after the Service.
In his address, His Eminence Archbishop Sergios said that the two Saints that we  commemorate on this day, Saint Athanasios and Saint Cyril were both Patriarchs of Alexandria in Africa. They are highly revered Saints of the Orthodox Church and contributed much to our Orthodox Faith through their theology and writings.



His Eminence said that today we heard the gospel reading of the ten lepers who were healed by Christ, but only one of them stopped to thank Him. He said that the path of Christ is a difficult one, however it is easier when we follow Him in freedom and that we should always show our gratitude to our Creator by keeping His commandments and also by participating in the Holy Eucharist.
He said that the Patriarchates of Alexandria and Constantinople have recently canonised Elder Paisios as a Saint. He was a well-known elder from the monastery of Ayion Oron, Mount Athos. Elder Porphyrios, another well- loved elder has also been canonised. During their life-time they helped thousands of people on their way to salvation. He said that God in His mercy helps us along the road to salvation by sending people such as them to support us with our life challenges.
He went on to say that we held a memorial Service for our late Archbishop Pavlos Varnavas. He was born in Cyprus and he came to this country to serve as a priest in Pretoria. After fifteen years he was ordained Archbishop and in 1968  he started to establish the Metropolis  from nothing. He served as Archbishop of Good Hope for thirty years before falling asleep 16 years ago. His Eminence said that during his time as Archbishop, he travelled regularly to all the parishes and always made a point of visiting families in remote areas of the country.

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