Metropolitan Kirill led celebrations in Paris on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the diocese of Korsun
18.02.2001 · English, Архив 2001
METROPOLITAN KIRILL LED CELEBRATIONS IN PARIS ON THE OCCASION OF THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DIOCESE OF KORSUN
Celebrations on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the church of the Three Hierarchs and the Korsun diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church were held on February 10-12 in Paris. The diocese of Korsun embraces parishes in France, Italy, Switzerland and Spain.
The celebrations were led by Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, who came to Paris for the occasion.
The celebrations opened at the Russian Culture Center with the Bishop Innocent of Korsun reading out a congratulatory message from Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia to the clergy and faithful of the diocese. In his report to the assembly, Bishop Innocent emphasized the important spiritual and historical role of the Three Hierarchs Metochion for the life of Russian Orthodoxy in Western Europe and noted the significance of the celebrated anniversary for our whole Church. Speaking about the life of the cross that Orthodoxy lived in the 20th century, he dwelt on the importance of the spiritual and canonical unity that the founders of the Three Hierarchs Metochion maintained with the Mother Church in the years of trial and their faithfulness to the order of Patriarch Sergius to bear witness before Western Christians to the treasures of the Orthodox Tradition. The Methochion of the Three Hierarchs remains today one of the major spiritual centers of Western Europe, the church life of which is developing intensely.
The assembly was presented with the book on “The Iconography of the Three Hierarchs and the Works by L. A. Uspensky and Father Gregory Krug” edited by E. van Taak. The grand meeting concluded with a recital of church music. On the following day, the celebrations continued with the All-Night Vigil service at the church of the Holy Trinity at Vanve. Archbishop Anatoly of Kerch officiated.
On February 11, Metropolitan Kirill, assisted by Archbishop Anatoly and Bishop Innocent, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the church of the New Russian Martyrs and Confessors at Vanve. After the liturgy, a thanksgiving was celebrated, during which His Eminence Kirill address the congregation with greetings (see the full text below).
In the evening, Metropolitan Kirill, assisted by Bishops Innocent, Paul of Tracheia and Michael of Klaudiopol, officiated at All-Night Vigil at the church of the Three Hierarchs.
On the following day, the Feast of the Synaxis of St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian and St. John Chrysostom, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the same church. It celebration became the culmination of the celebrations. Among Metropolitan Kirill’s concelebrants were archpastors of Local Orthodox Churches and clergy of the Korsun and other diocese of the Russian Church, including Metropolitan Amfilokij (Serbian Patriarchate), Archbishop Sergius of Eucharpia (Patriarchate of Constantinople), Bishops Luke of Western Europe (Serbian Patriarchate), Paul of Thracheia (Patriarchate of Constantinople), and Michael of Klaudiopol (Patriarchate of Constantiniple). Praying in the sanctuary was Metropolitan Jeremiah of France (Patriarchate of Constantinople).
Present at the church were staff members of the Russian embassy and trade mission in France, other officials, representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, inmates of the Russian House at Saint Genevieve de Bois, and numerous parishioners.
After the liturgy, Metropolitan Kirill addressed his concelebrants, the clergy, faithful and guests. He conveyed congratulations and wishes of blessed success from His Holiness Patriarch Alexy on the occasion of the patronal feast of the Three Hierarchs Metochion.
Metropolitan Kirill presented members of the Parish Council and devoted parishioners with Patriarchal diplomas.
After the festive service, Metropolitan Kirill gave a press-conference for Russian and foreign journalists. He answered numerous questions about the Church’s internal life in Russia, the nature of church-state and church-society relations and problems of inter-Orthodox in interconfessional dialogue.
In the evening, Metropolitan Kirill met with the clergy of the Korsun diocese. He reported on the present status of the Church, religious processes taking place in Russian society and the Church’s vision of ways to overcome internal and international problems.
The anniversary celebrations culminated in a reception which was given by the Korsun diocese at the St. Lambert Hall in Paris.
On February 13, Metropolitan Kirill met with the Diocesan Council of the Archdiocese of the Russian Orthodox Parishes in Western Europe. It was agreed at the meeting to set up a commission to explore the possibility for further rapprochement and cooperation between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Archdiocese.
On the same day, the Russian Ambassador in Paris N. Afanasyevsky gave dinner in honour of Metropolitan Kirill and bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church who came to Paris for the celebrations.
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