Rasophoria of Sister Theofroni

His Eminence, Metropolitan Ignatios of Dimitria, officiated on Wednesday 18/10, during the vespers of the feast of the Prophet Joel and the Martyr Varos, at the Holy Monastery of the Holy Forerunner, Anatoli, Agia, during which was performed the rasophoria of “Katherine from America”, sister of the monastery, which was given the monastic name of Theofroni.

In his inspiring speech, Metropolitan Ignatios emphasized the importance of the dedication of young people to God, the grace of God, their ministry in the Church and in the world. He referred to the continuous progress of the monastery, “which is characterized by the simplicity of the community, by the origin of the sisters from different parts and countries of the world, but which follows the Orthodox Tradition, as handed down to us by our Fathers, and monasteries in Greece”.

He referred to the work of monasticism, which will remain unchanged and essential, until the end of time. At one point he spoke about modern technology and artificial intelligence, “which can even change a person’s face, but cannot replace the soul that is able to commune continuously with God. It will be able to write prayers, but it will not pray and it will not keep the candle of faith and tradition burning. This the monk will do without ceasing, no matter how much the world changes and prevails, thus offering love and consolation to the “inconsolable” man, as long as God allows it.

Finally, His Eminence emphasized how wonderful it is in our time for a young person to dedicate herself to God: “it is very important that young people, men and women, decide to enter this yoke—as it is called—but at the same time the freest choice that they can make in their lives. And I will say it once more: there is no greater freedom than to identify one’s will with God’s will. And if in the eyes of people, monasticism seems something difficult, for those who have experienced it and are experiencing it, it is a true freedom. Because the monastic frees his heart, frees his mind, becomes a living prayer, communes with God.”