On December 26–28, 2025, His Eminence Metropolitan Ambrosios of Korea and Exarch of Japan visited Okinawa and Tokyo to celebrate the great Feast of the Nativity of Christ.
In Okinawa, on Saturday, December 27, the Divine Liturgy for Christmas was celebrated, presided over by His Eminence and concelebrated by Fr. Andrew Kearns, who serves at the U.S. military base in Okinawa, and Hieromonk Fr. Epiphanios Grigoriatis. Following the Divine Liturgy, all attendees had the opportunity for fellowship in an atmosphere of spiritual joy and love in Christ.
On the following day, Sunday, December 28, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in Tokyo. Among those participating in the Eucharistic gathering was the new Ambassador of Greece to Japan, Ms. Olga Kliamaki, who had the opportunity to meet His Eminence personally and become acquainted with the work of the Exarchate.
In his addresses in both Okinawa and Tokyo, His Eminence conveyed the venerable paternal greetings and blessings of His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and offered words of spiritual edification and encouragement to the faithful. In addition, meetings were held aimed at better organization and the further strengthening of the presence of the Orthodox Church in Japan under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
We wholeheartedly pray that the newly born Christ may abundantly bestow His blessing in the New Year 2026, for the establishment and spiritual fruitfulness of our Orthodox Church in Japan, so that it may continue to be a radiant beacon in the Land of the Rising Sun.