The Days of Russia in Chile

The Days of Russia were held in Santiago from November 8 to 13, 2008.

In the evening of November 8, metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York from the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia celebrated the All-Night Vigil in the Cathedral of St. Nectarios of Aegina.

On Sunday, November 9, metropolitan Platon of Argentina and South America, metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, archbishop Mark of Hust and Vinogradov, archbishop Pavel of Ryazan and Kasimov, bishop Evtikhy of Domodedovo, and bishop John of Caracas celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of St. John the Evangelist. Concelebrating were the abbot of the Sretensky Monastery in Moscow archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov), the secretary for Interorthodox relations of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations archpriest Nikolai Balashov, and clerics of the Orthodox parishes in Santiago.

Attending the divine service was Ya.Filatov, Ambassador of Russia in Chile, and K. Kosachev, head of the Russian State Duma Committee on international affairs.

Sub-deacon Roberto Leon of the Church of St. Nectarios of Aegina was ordained deacon by Metropolitan Hilarion.

That same day the archpastors and members of the delegation that arrived in Chile to take part in the Days of Russia visited the Russian cemetery in Santiago.

On November 10, metropolitan Platon of Argentina and South America, metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, Metropolitan of Santiago and All Chile (Patriarchate of Antioch), Ambassador Yu. Filatov, Mr. K. Kosachev, director general of the ‘Restek’ companies S. Trofimov, vice-rector of the Santiago-de-Chile University Professor P. Narvarte opened the ‘Orthodox Rus’ and ‘Modern Russia’ exhibition in the University. The choir of the Moscow Sretensky Monastery performed a concert for the faculty and students.

That same day a workshop for the compatriots and a reception were held in the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Chile. Ambassador Filatov told the guests about the ‘Days of Russia’ project in the countries of Latin America.

On November 11, the same choir performed a concert in the military academy attended by hundreds of listeners, including representatives of the diplomatic corps. Ambassador Filatov introduced the singers and told the audience about the Sretensky Monastery, and about the Days of Russia in the countries of Latin America.

On November 12, archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) performed the blessing of the residence of the ambassador.

During their visit to Chile members of the church delegation had talks with the parishioners of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Santiago. Its rector stopped to pray for the authorities of the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia. The parishioners expressed their wish to restore their spiritual unity with the plenitude of the Local Russian Orthodox Church in the immediate future.

• Days of Russia in Latin America
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• The Days of Russia in Chile
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