Visit of the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America

VISIT OF THE PRIMATE OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA

The primate of the Orthodox Church in America, His Beatitude Theodosius, Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of all America and Canada, was in Moscow from June 8 to 13, 1999, on an official visit to the Russian Orthodox Church. The official delegation of the Orthodox Church in America also included Archbishop Hermann of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, Protopresbyter Robert Kondratick, chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, Archpriest Leonid Kishkovsky, Protodeacon Eric Wheeler and Mr. Jason Vansuch.

On June 8, the delegation of the Orthodox Church in America led by Metropolitan Theodosius of All America and Canada arrived in Moscow. For the first time, about twenty clerics and over one hundred lay people came together with Metropolitan Theodosius for a pilgrimage to Russia.

On June 9, His Beatitude Theodosius, together with these clerics and lay people, made a pilgrimage to shrines in Moscow. They made the first stop on their journey at the Church of Our Lady of Kazan in Red Square. The pilgrims also bowed before the venerated replica of the miracle-working Icon of Our Lady of Iveron in the chapel at the Resurrection Gates. In the afternoon, the delegation and the pilgrims visited the Church of Christ the Savior. The were introduced to the history of the construction, destruction and reconstruction of the church. Later that day the delegation went the New Monastery of Our Savior. They were met at the main cathedral by the abbot, Bishop Alexis of Orekhovo-Zuyevo, and the brethren. Late that night, Metropolitan Theodosius together with a group of pilgrims was at the Monastery of Our Lady of the Don to venerate the relics of the Holy Patriarch Tikhon. During the singing of the Praise, the Orthodox Americans, their eyes full of tears, kissed the holy relics of St. Tikhon, who led the Russian Orthodox Church in the years of tribulations and had worked hard as bishop in the American continent.

On June 10, Metropolitan Theodosius concelebrated with His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia at the Cathedral of the Epiphany on the occasion of the 9th anniversary of the Patriarchal enthronement. Among the congregation were American pilgrims, who extended to His Holiness the Patriarch their warm congratulations on the anniversary of his primatial ministry. Later that day, Metropolitan Theodosius attended the official reception given by His Holiness the Patriarch and the refectory of the Church of Christ the Savior.

On June 11, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy and His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius consecrated the church of the Holy Protomartyr Cathrine, the Moscow Metochion of the Orthodox Church in America. The consecration was followed by the Divine Liturgy, during which many pilgrims from America communicated. The Primates of the two Churches exchanged speeches.

Later that day, Patriarch Alexy gave a reception in honor of His Beatitude Theodosius at his residence at St. Daniel’s monastery.

In the evening, the delegation of the Orthodox Church in America was received by the US Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Mr. James Collins.

On June 12, the guest of the Russian Church visited St. Sergius Laura of the Trinity and the Moscow Theological Academy. The father superior of the monastery and the brethren met His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius at the holy gates of the monastery. After a brief visit to the Laura’s churches, the guest made a tour of the Church Archeology Museum of the Moscow Theological Academy and met with students of the Moscow theological schools.

On Sunday, July 13, the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the American Metochion. Later that day, he gave a reception at the Danilovskaya Hotel on the occasion of the consecration of the Metochion.

Late at night on June 14, Metropolitan Theodosius and his delegation left for St. Petersburg.

In St. Petersburg, the high guests from the United Stated venerated the northern capital’s shrines including the chapel of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg, St. John’s Convent-on-the-Karpovka and the grave of St. John of Kronstadt there and visited the Laura of St. Alexander Nevsky. On June 17, the delegation left for the USA.