The Primate of the Orthodox Church in America arrives in Moscow
10.12.2001 · English, Архив 2001
THE PRIMATE OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA ARRIVES IN MOSCOW
His Beatitude Theodosius, Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada, arrived in Moscow on December 3, 2001, for an official visit, leading a delegation of the Orthodox Church in America. The delegation includes Archbishop Hermann of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, Protopresbyter Rodion Kondratik, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, as well as clergy and laity of the American Church.
At Sheremetyevo airport, the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America was met by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia. The welcoming party included Metropolitan Sergiy of Solnechnogorsk, Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate, Bishop Alexander of Dmitrov, and Archimandrite Mark (Golovkov), a vice-chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate.
“The world has gone through tremendous changes since my previous visit two and a half years ago”, His Beatitude Theodosius said addressing His Holiness Patriarch Alexy and added, “the world has greatly changed even in the last three months. The tragic events of September 11 have changed the way of life of the United States citizens. I hope that my visit to the Russian Orthodox Church will strengthen traditional historical and spiritual relations based on faith, hope and charity. I pray that this visit may contribute to the development of relations between the peoples of Russia and the United States of America, between all people of good will”.
Welcoming his high guest, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy noted in particular, “The tragic events in the USA and the common decision of the leaders of our two countries to oppose terrorism together have brought our nations and states closer to each other. We see in your every visit to the Russian Orthodox Church a contribution to the further consolidation of cooperation and mutual understanding not only between our two sister Churches, but also between our two nations and states”.
On December 4, Patriarch Alexy and Metropolitan Theodosius celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Dormition in the Kremlin and said a prayer at the shrine with the all-honorable relics of St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, in the Donskoy monastery. On the same day, they visited the Church of Christ the Savior.
On the same day Metropolitan Theodosius and the delgation of the Orthodox Church in America met with Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate. They discussed the bilateral relations between the Russian and the American Churches and the life of the Moscow Patriarchate parishes in North America.
On December 5, His Beatitude Theodosius went to St. Sergius’ Laura of the Holy Trinity.
On December 6, His Beatitude Theodosius and his delegation visited St. Tikhon’s Theological Institute and churches and monasteries in Moscow. In the evening, Metropolitan Theodosius officiated at All-Night Vigil at the Church of St. Catherine, the Representation of the American Orthodox Church in Moscow.
On December 7, Patriarch Alexy and Metropolitan Theodosius celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Catherine’s.
On December 8, His Beatitude Theodosius and his delegation venerated Orthodox shrines in Moscow.
On December 9, Patriarch Alexy and Metropolitan Theodosius celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Christ the Savior’s.
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