BOSTON – His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston made a pastoral visit to the Nativity-Assumption of the Theotokos Church in Cohasset, MA. During his visit, His Eminence led the chanting of the Orthros service, accompanied by Dr. Nicholas Roumas and seminarians. He also prayed in the sanctuary while Archimandrite Anton C. Vrame, the pastor of the parish, celebrated the Divine Liturgy.

During the visit, His Eminence delivered a homily for the Sunday of the Paralytic, highlighting the profound loneliness experienced by the paralyzed man and the pervasive loneliness in our contemporary society. He emphasized that this loneliness contributes to various issues, including addiction, and encouraged the parishioners to reach out to those who are lonely and invite them to the Church.

In his greeting to the Metropolitan, Fr. Vrame mentioned that the parish has been witnessing an increase in membership, particularly among younger families in the area who are bringing their children to be baptized. Additionally, there have been a few conversions to Orthodox Christianity in the past year, reflecting the diversity of the newer members. Fr. Vrame also noted that since His Eminence’s last visit, ongoing efforts to update the church have been underway, including the installation of central air conditioning a year ago and the replacement of altar cloths and carpeting. All these renovations are made possible through the generous support of the parishioners.

His Eminence greeted the parishioners during the fellowship hour and enjoyed a beautiful buffet offered by the Parish. Finally, His Eminence toured the new community center which is being built. The exterior of the new building is complete. Fundraising for the final phase, the completion of the hall’s interior, the kitchen, and supporting spaces, is underway.

The nave was called the Pope Memorial Church in 1900 when it was originally built as a shrine in memory of Charles Linder Pope, who had drowned nearby at the young age of 17, by his parents, Colonel Albert A. and Abby Pope. Several denominations have called this their church over the last 119 years. In 1980 this beautiful building became the Community’s beloved Panagia. Hundreds of families have celebrated life’s most momentous events within its walls, some with joy and some with sadness. As is noted in parish literature, “churches are sanctuaries from the hustle and bustle we call life. We are so ‘busy’ that we often don’t have much time to decompress, to reflect and to honor God the way that we should. This safe-haven lets us feed our souls and become new again. We reconnect with who we are meant to be in all of our glory. Maybe you’ve driven by, admiring the Richardsonian architecture, or the picturesque location, right along Straits Pond. It’s a blessing that parishioners here can often feel the ocean breeze through the open windows in the summer months or watch the swans peacefully swim by in the middle of a service, witnessing God’s glory while simultaneously praying for His earthly blessings.”