On 17 August 2025, the Monastic Community of Christ Pantocrator celebrated the fifth anniversary of its establishment in Arona, in the former Monastery of the Visitation, where it settled in the summer of 2020.
The solemn liturgical celebration was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan John of Dubna, Archbishop of the Orthodox Churches of Russian tradition in Western Europe. It was concelebrated by His Grace Bishop Symeon of Domodedovo and Bishop Peter of Kafa, who had come from Portugal, together with many priests and deacons.
The Liturgy was enhanced by two choirs: one singing linear polyphonic music and the other Byzantine chant, making the celebration particularly solemn and evocative.
At the Little Entrance, His Eminence raised the abbot of the Arona monastery, Father Victor Cretu, to the rank of archimandrite. This moment was accompanied, at the end of the celebration, by the official presentation of the abbot’s crozier, a sign of the Metropolitan’s trust in, and support for, the path of the young monastic community.
Many guests also took part in the celebration, among them Brother Sabino Chialà, prior of the monastic community of Bose; Father Paolo Milani, of the Diocese of Novara; Father Claudio Lonardi, parish priest of Arona; as well as the civil authorities of the town and a large number of the faithful.
At the end of the celebration, Archimandrite Victor expressed in his address his deep gratitude to His Eminence Metropolitan John, stressing with deep emotion the constant spiritual and pastoral support that the Archdiocese, and in particular the Metropolitan himself, gives to the monastic community and its faithful. He also expressed his gratitude to the concelebrating bishops, the distinguished guests and all the faithful, whose prayerful presence and concrete support are an irreplaceable foundation for the life and mission of the monastery. On behalf of the whole community of the faithful, Mr Oleg Romanyuk, the starosta of the community, expressed thanks and filial affection, voicing the closeness, loyalty and sincere participation of all those present.
The day concluded with a festive meal shared by all present, in an atmosphere of joy, fellowship and gratitude for these first five years of monastic life in Arona.
Here is the link to the page where the photos of the event can be viewed.