Delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia Arrives in Moscow

An official visit of a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia to Russia began on 18 November. The delegation, headed by Archbishop Mark of Berlin, Germany and Great Britain, includes Archbishop Hilarion of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand, Bishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, as well as Protopriests Nikolai Artemoff and Peter Holodny.

Early in the morning, the members of the delegation visited the Sretensky Monastery in Moscow, where they prayed at the relics of Holy Martyr Hilarion, and stayed for divine liturgy.

At noon, the delegation arrived in Donskoy Monastery, where they venerated the relics of Saint Patriarch Tikhon and visited his cell, where he was living under house arrest. The delegation viewed the small cathedral of Donskoy Monastery and prayed at the grave of Martyr Iakov Polozov and Protopresbyter Alexander Kiselev (photo below: Donskoy Monasterycemetery).

At 1 pm, the first meeting between His Holiness Patriarch Alexy with Archbishops Mark and Hilarion and Bishop Kyrill was held at his residence. At the beginning of the meeting, the bishops from abroad presented the Patriarch with an icon of the greatpodvizhnik[laborer-in-the-Lord] of the 20th century, Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Miracle-worker. The icon contains a portion of the relics of St. John. During the three-hour conversation, the paths of the Russian Orthodox Church in the 20th century--so tragic for Russia--and the possibilities for spiritual unity of the Russian Orthodox Church were discussed.

Subsequently, the members of the delegation headed for Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, where they were greeted by the superior, Bishop Feognost. The hierarchs and priests of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia prayed at the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, St. Philaret of Moscow and many other relics(see photo above). The delegation then met with Archimandrite Matfei (Mormyl) at Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra.

An official communique will be issued on the meeting between Patriarch Alexy and the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the coming days. Those who wish to see photographs of the delegation's visit can see them at Sretensky Monastery.

It should be pointed out that there have been many published items, commentaries and opinions, including blatant conjecture, on the visit of the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia to Russia. For trustworthy and official information on the event, please visit the of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

Photos: Pravoslavie.ru