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More
on the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Episcopacy of Archbishop
Hilarion of Sydney and the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand
From the Editors: In connection with the recent birthday of His
Eminence Archbishop Hilarion, the Editors offer the readers of the
official website of the Synod of Bishops an article with further
information on the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the episcopacy
of Vladyka, published in the Nativity issue of Tserkovnoye slovo
[Church Word], the official monthly publication of the Diocese of
Australia and New Zealand, which one bishop of the Russian Orthodox
Church Outside of Russia once called the "pearl" of the
Russian diaspora. His Eminence marked his birthday with the celebration
of divine liturgy on the eve of the Nativity; many of his clergymen
and parishioners of his diocese congratulated him on the days of
the Nativity. Thus ended the 20th anniversary celebrations of the
service as bishop of Archbishop Hilarion. The Editors congratulate
His Eminence Vladyka on his recent birthday and wish him good health
and God's help in his difficult archpastoral laborsÉOn November
7, 2004, the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand celebrated the
20th anniversary of the episcopal service of Vladyka Hilarion. Divine
liturgy was performed with particular solemnity on this day. Vladyka
was joined in the service by Protopriest John Stukacz; Dean of Victoria
Protopriest Michael Protopopov; Dean of Queensland Protopriest Michael
Klebansky; Protopriest Michael Boikov; Protopriest Michael Li and
Hieromonk John, along with Protodeacon Boris Evstigneev, Deacon
Alexander Kotliaroff, Deacon Vadim Gan, Deacon Ivan Bots and Deacon
Alexander Abramoff. The Cathedral Choir, which is growing in its
expertise, sang magnificently, heightening the prayerful mood of
the worshipers.
At the conclusion of divine liturgy, a festive trapeza was offered
at the Russian Club, attended by 250 people. Upon Vladyka Hilarion's
arrival, everyone rose to their feet and sang "Eis polla eti
despota."
After the trapeza, Protopriest Michael Protopopov gave a small lecture
in which he outlined Vladyka's biography. A screen was erected on
stage onto which slides from Vladyka's past were projected. Those
in attendance were given brochures with explanations of the images,
containing also the life's history of our Ruling Bishop, beginning
from his early years as a child and ending with the Paschal celebrations
of last year. It was so pleasing to see how the future Archbishop's
life unfolded! The key moments of his life and of Church history
were recorded in these photographs. The slides acquainted us with
the life of our Vladyka Hilarion and his family. His Eminence's
life progressed before our eyes and everyone was happy at his many
achievements, which the humble Vladyka never mentionsÉ
After Fr Michael's presentation, representatives of various social
organizations spoke. First to speak was the Russian Consul L.P.
Moiseev. Then the Director of the Diocesan School, M.A. Arutyunyan
spoke, T.V. Chernyshev of the Russian Club, a congratulatory message
was read from the President of Pravoslavnoye delo-Sydney [Orthodox
Work—Sydney], I.P. Konstantinova; one from the President of the
Russian Sporting Association, K.M. Tonkikh; from K.P. Tatarinov
of the Russian Historical Society; from I.S. Migunova of the magazine
Avstraliada; from Z.N. Kozhevnikov of the Russian Ethnic Representation,
and on behalf of the first Russian Orthodox parish in Sydney, Priest
Alexander Korjenewski, who presented Vladyka with a gift of a beautiful
staff and a large icon of the Three Holy Hierarch.
All the greetings were filled with earnest good wishes to our dear
honoree. We all know that Vladyka Hilarion will always respond to
all our pleas, and he is always accessible to all. This helps those
of us in society who are often met with difficulties, for we always
find moral support and attention from Vladyka Hilarion. Everyone
in attendance was happy to be here, and the hall was filled with
a special--I would say "grace-filled"--atmosphere, which
one often finds in a familial setting. We all felt that we are united
by a common love for our Ruling Archpastor, who in 1996 introduced
to our orphaned diocese peace, calmness and love. This filled our
thoughts and hearts, and it was joyful to celebrate together the
remarkable 20th anniversary of the archpastoral service of our Diocesan
Bishop. This was a holiday for the entire diocese, which lives its
Russian life in peace and amity amid other nationalities and religionsÉ
His Eminence Archbishop Hilarion then gave some words of gratitude.
He shared with us his thoughts and explained how God's help is invisibly
sensed in the life of an archpastor. Then Vladyka reminded us of
the importance of humility and prayerÉ
The festive trapeza and wondrous celebration came to an end, but
the program included a concert of church music in honor of Vladyka.
The concert consisted of two parts; the first was dedicated to the
life of Vladyka Hilarion in Jordanville. A men's choir performed
music from the rite of monastic tonsure and various Jordanville
chants under the direction of Protopriest Michael Boikov. The second
half of the program was devoted to the Synodal period of His Eminence's
life, during which he assumed the duties of the Deputy Secretary
of the Synod of Bishops. The choir was led by Deacon Vadim Gan.
Following this was a beautiful moment, when the choir sang "Eternal
Memory" to Vladyka's parents—Alexei and Evfrosinia. This was
a touching act of acknowledgement of the memory and profound respect
for the parents of our archpastor. And so this unforgettable day
ended, which will remain in the memories of all the children of
this diocese for a long while.
Many years to our dear Vladyka Hilarion!
E. Shirinskaya
Tserkovnoye slovo, January 2005
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