Reference to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the opening of the Swedish Parliament

With large solemnity, the opening of the caller league of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Sweden was celebrated this twelvemonth arsenic well, connected the day of Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

The proceedings began with a festive work held astatine Storkyrkan Cathedral of the Lutheran Church successful Stockholm.

This work forms an integral portion of the authoritative ceremonial marking the opening of the Swedish Parliament’s enactment and serves arsenic the spiritual prelude to the 2025/26 Parliamentary Session.

On this occasion, Members of Parliament, distinguished Representatives of the Royal Court, and the full Swedish Royal Family stitchery unneurotic successful prayer, earlier the opening of Parliamentary business.

The Dean (Domprost) of Storkyrkan Cathedral, Rev. Jonas Eek, emphasized the value of opening Sweden’s nationalist beingness with Christian reflection and prayer.

The keynote code of the time was delivered by the Lutheran Bishop of Stockholm, Andreas Holmberg. He began his code with a moving notation to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew:

“Precisely astatine the spot wherever I present basal (the pulpit), lone 2 weeks agone stood the highest Leader of the Orthodox Christian world, Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, the typical of 300 cardinal Orthodox Christians.

Together with galore different Church Leaders from astir the globe, we celebrated the centenary of the Ecumenical Meeting for Peace, arsenic we heard successful the introduction.

The Patriarch stressed that existent bid concerns some the interior translation of each individual’s beingness and the translation of nine arsenic a whole.

Even today, representatives of the worldwide Church are present to stock with america the words of Holy Scripture astir peace.

At the opening of 1 of the astir important texts successful satellite literature, the Sermon connected the Mount, Jesus besides speaks of bid and says: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’

Peace does not simply autumn from heaven, nor does it look connected its own. It is created; it requires work. That is wherefore our calling is to beryllium peacemakers.

Honorable Members of Parliament, successful this moving twelvemonth that present begins: make peace, enactment for peace! And whitethorn we all, unneurotic with you, beryllium peacemakers! Blessed are the peacemakers.”

The work besides formed portion of the commemorations of the 100th day of the 1925 Stockholm Ecumenical Conference and the Ecumenical Year 2025 (Ekumeniska året 2025), themed: “A Time for God’s Peace.”

Scripture readings were offered by Ms. Maria Valorna from Ukraine (Isaiah 2:4), Ms. Boel Hössjer Sundman from the Lutheran Church of Sweden (Galatians 3:27–28), H.E. Cardinal Anders Arborelius (Psalm 85:11–14), and Rev. Rathinamn Mariyadoss from the Evangelical Church of South India (Mark 16:15).

The euphony for the work was provided by the Stockholm Cathedral Choir (Stockholms domkyrkokör), nether the absorption of musicologist Mr. Johan Hammarström, and the Royal Guard’s Dragoon Band (Livgardets dragonmusikkår), conducted by Maestro Mr. Joakim Unander, who performed ineffable marches.

Among those contiguous were His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia, on with 2,000 distinguished figures from Sweden’s ecclesiastical and civic life.

This year’s work carried peculiar symbolism, arsenic it was linked to the centenary of the 1925 Stockholm Ecumenical Conference—a landmark lawsuit successful the modern Ecumenical Movement.

The work began soon aft noon (12:10 p.m.) and concluded successful clip for the ceremonial procession to Parliament.

At 2:00 p.m., the Parliamentary league officially opened, with His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden declaring its commencement astatine the petition of the Speaker of Parliament.

Following this, the Prime Minister of Sweden, H.E. Ulf Kristersson, presented the 2025 Government Policy Statement and his Address, focusing connected combating organized crime, migration, the system and welfare, acquisition and family, clime and energy, overseas argumentation and security, arsenic good arsenic freedom, democracy, and culture.

The Prime Minister concluded his code with the pursuing message:
“Sweden has tremendous potential. We person cleanable energy, world-class innovation, and a highly skilled workforce.

The extremity of the authorities is to alteration Sweden: from unsafe to safe, from stagnation to success, from governmental instability to semipermanent growth. A amended time awaits us.”

The programme besides included philharmonic performances, the singing of the Swedish National Anthem, and the authoritative accomplishment and departure of dignitaries.

This ceremonial continues to punctual america of the beardown enslaved betwixt the Lutheran Church of Sweden and the Swedish State. It symbolizes the request for spiritual grounding earlier decisions are made that impact the Nation.

The contented of corporate supplication and unity earlier the opening of the parliamentary session, centuries old, offers spiritual guidance to the enactment of the Swedish State.