Warsaw, August 6, 2026
Met. Sawa (L), Bp. Gerasim (R). Photo: orthodox.pl
His Grace Bishop Gerasim of Forth Worth of the Orthodox Church in America joined several Polish hierarchs for the feast of St. Mary Magdalene on August 4, the patronal feast of the main cathedral of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church.
Clergy and faithful from dioceses across Poland also traveled to Warsaw for the celebration, which has been marked at the cathedral for more than a century, the Polish Church reports.
An All-Night Vigil was held on the eve of the feast, led by His Eminence Archbishop Jerzy of Wrocław and Szczecin, assisted by His Eminence Archbishop Grzegorz of Bielsk and His Grace Bishop Paweł of Hajnówka, with the Polish primate His Eminence Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland praying in the altar.
On the day of the feast, two Divine Liturgies were celebrated. The first, held at 7 AM, was followed by the blessing of water. The main Liturgy was led by Met. Sawa, concelebrated by Abps. Jerzy and Grzegorz, Bp. Paweł, and Bp. Gerasim.
Photo: orthodox.pl
The visit comes less than two weeks after Bp. Gerasim was nominated as the next OCA Bishop of the South, which awaits the confirmation of the Holy Synod.
Following the reading of the Gospel, Abp. Jerzy delivered the homily. He noted that although the Gospel provides little detail about the life of St. Mary Magdalene, it depicts her as someone who experienced the healing power of Christ and responded with deep gratitude and love. Citing the teaching of St. John Chrysostom, he said Christian joy comes not from the empty tomb itself, but from the encounter with the Risen Christ, adding that St. Mary Magdalene recognized Christ by His voice rather than His appearance.
In his address to the faithful, Met. Sawa referred to an icon of Christ in his residence that miraculously renewed itself, as a sign of God’s presence and action. He encouraged the cultivation of Christian love and perseverance in the spiritual life.
The celebrations with a reception in the metropolitan garden.
Bp. Gerasim also visited Moscow in for the feast of St. Catherine in December, and led an OCA delegation to the feast of St. Nino in Tbilisi in January.
Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, and MeWe!
