Days of Russia in Latin America

‘The Days of Russia in the Latin America’ programme was completed in Paraguay on 16 November 2008 by the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Church of the Intercession in Asuncion by metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, metropolitan Platon of Argentina and South America, archbishop Mark of Hust and Vinogradov, archbishop Pavel of Ryazan and Kasimov, and Bishop Evtikhy of Domodedovo, bishop Joan of Caracas.

Bishop John of Caracas celebrated Vespers in the same church on November 15. Russian Ambassador in Paraguay Yu. Korchagin prayed at the divine service. The miraculous ‘Reigning’ Icon of the Mother of God was brought to the church for veneration.

Prayers for those traveling were offered up at the divine service before the Russian delegation’s departure for homeland.

After the Divine Liturgy metropolitan Hilarion congratulated parishioners with the feast. Many of them could partake of the Holy Mysteries for the first time in many years. The first hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia introduced a new rector of the church, bishop John of Caracas, and expressed his wish for a priest to come to Paraguay in the immediate future to care for the flock, as there have been no Orthodox priests ministering in the republic for several years.

The Days of Russia were held in seven Latin American countries from October 17 to November 16, 2008. The delegation visited Cuba, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay. The ‘Reigning’ Icon of the Mother of God was brought to the countries of Central and South America. Divine services were celebrated in all seven countries, ‘Orthodox Rus’ and ‘Modern Russia’ exhibitions were presented to the viewers, concerts of the Moscow Sretensky Monastery were performed, and workshops with compatriots were held.

The Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad met with the Presidents of Cuba, Costa Rica and Venezuela in the framework of the Days of Russia.

The hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church met with state authorities of Brazil and Argentina.

• Days of Russia in Latin America
• Moscow Sretensky monastery choir awarded the title of “Honourable guest of Asuncion”
• Memorial plaque to commemorate Russian heroes of Paraguay unveiled in Asuncion
• The Days of Russia in Chile
• Festive reception at Russian Embassy in Costa Rica to celebrate Russia’s Days in Latin American countries
• Metropolitan Kirill meets with Fidel Castro Rus
• High patriarchal awards conferred on Fidel and Raul Castro
• A Russian Orthodox church consecrated in Havana