Delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church visits Mount Athos

DELEGATION OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH VISITS MOUNT ATHOS

A delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, in compliance with the Holy Synod decision, visited the Russian Monastery of St. Panteleimon on Mount Athos from August 4 to 11, 2002, to participate in the celebrations devoted to the patron saint of the cloister, the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon.

The delegation included Archbishop Valentin of Orenburg and Buzuluk, Bishop Alexander of Dmitrov, Archpriest Sergei Truhachev, cleric of the Moscow Diocese, and Sergei Govorun, staff-member of the Department for External Church Relations.

During their stay on Holy Mount Athos, the delegation met with the Protos of Athos and members of the Holy Epistasia, visited a number of monasteries and hermitages, and participated in divine services held at the Monastery of St. Panteleimon.

On the day of commemoration of the Holy Great-martyr Panteleimon, Archbishop Valentin officiated at the Great Vespers and the solemn Liturgy, after which a procession with cross took place. Then a message of greetings from His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia was read out before the monastic community and numerous pilgrims.