Metropolitan Methodios attended 75th Anniversary Mass at Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in Worcester
Wednesday, July 02, 2025
In a moving display of Christian unity, Metropolitan Methodios joined Roman Catholic Bishop Robert J. McManus and the faithful of the Diocese of Worcester on Sunday, June 29, 2025, to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Diocese’s founding. The celebration coincided with the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul—beloved by both Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
In his remarks during the celebration, Metropolitan Methodios honored the legacy of the five bishops who have shepherded the Diocese of Worcester since its establishment in 1950: Cardinal John J. Wright, Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan, Bishop Timothy J. Harrington, Bishop Daniel P. Reilly, and Bishop Robert J. McManus. He praised their pastoral leadership and expressed heartfelt gratitude for their brotherly love and shared witness to the Gospel.
Looking out at the congregation Metropolitan Methodios said, “I see not strangers, but to quote St. Paul, ‘citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.’ We drink from the same wellsprings of apostolic faith… and we labor for the same Kingdom of God.”
His Eminence reflected on his longstanding friendship with Bishop McManus, recalling shared pilgrimages, joint worship services, and mutual celebrations of sacred feasts—particularly Pascha Sunday and the feasts of Saints Andrew, Peter, and Paul.
He also delivered a stirring reflection on the theological and spiritual legacy of Saints Peter and Paul, whose martyrdom, conversion, and unity in diversity continue to inspire Christians across traditions. Drawing from Orthodox hymns and Scripture, Metropolitan Methodios emphasized their evangelical witness and their embodiment of the Gospel’s call to peace, transformation, and shared mission.
The anniversary celebration held additional significance as it coincided with the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Metropolitan Methodios used the occasion to highlight the Creed’s foundational role in both the Orthodox and Catholic traditions, and to call once again for unity—particularly around the celebration of Easter on a common date.
The Mass served not only as a local diocesan milestone, but as a sign of hope and deepening Christian friendship. Metropolitan Methodios’ presence reaffirmed the ongoing dialogue and prayer between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches, pointing toward a future marked by unity, shared witness, and faithful service.
Metropolitan Methodios reflected that, Pope Leo XIV welcomed participants of the symposium “Nicaea and the Church of the Third Millennium: Towards Catholic-Orthodox Unity” at the Vatican. In his address, the Pope emphasized the enduring relevance of the First Ecumenical Council, stating, “The Council of Nicaea is not merely an event of the past, but a compass that must continue to guide us towards the full visible unity of all Christians.” His words echoed the very spirit of the anniversary celebration in Worcester, affirming a shared vision of unity and cooperation between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.
As the Diocese of Worcester marked seventy-five years of ministry, Metropolitan Methodios offered a final blessing: “As you mark your 75th year as a Diocese, I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to inspire and strengthen you. May your witness grow even brighter. And may the friendships and spiritual bonds between our Churches deepen and bear fruit—for our communities, for our youth, and for the glory of God.”
