Primate of the Finnish Autonomous Orthodox Church completes his visit

PRIMATE OF THE FINNISH AUTONOMOUS ORTHODOX CHURCH COMPLETES HIS VISIT

His Eminence Leo, Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland, was on a visit to the Russian Orthodox Church from July 15 to 20, 2002, at the invitation of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia. The Primate of the Finnish Autonomous Orthodox Church led a delegation of his Church on an official visit to Moscow.

On July 17, the Day of the Discovery of the Relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, Archbishop Leo officiated at All-Night Vigil at the Cathedral of the Dormition at St. Sergius’ Laura of the Trinity. He was assisted by archpastors and pastors of the Russian Church who came to the monastery for the celebrations. On the following day, Patriarch Alexy and Archbishop Leo concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at the same cathedral and conducted a festive thanksgiving at the monastery’s square. Before the thanksgiving, Patriarch Alexy blessed the bell of the Laura’s Great Belfry. Addressing the congregation, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church expressed conviction that the new bells installed in the belfry would call the Orthodox people to Christ as they did before.

After the thanksgiving, the Primates of the two Churches, from the balcony of the Patriarchal chambers, gave benediction to numerous pilgrims who came to honour the memory of the Hegumen of the Russian Land.

A meeting between Patriarch Alexy and the delegation of the Finnish Church took place at the Patriarchal chambers. His Holiness gave to Archbishop Leo a painting depicting St. Sergius’ Laura of the Trinity as a token.

On July 19, Archbishop Leo and his party visited holy places in Moscow. They came to the Church of Christ the Saviour, where Archpriest Mikhail Ryazantsev, the key-bearer of the church, took them around and to the viewing balcony to enjoy the panorama of Moscow. At the Cathedral of the Epiphany the Finnish delegation venerated the relics of St. Alexis the Metropolitan of Moscow and the venerated Icon of Our Lady of Kazan. The delegation also visited the Church of the Resurrection at Sokolniki, where they prayed before the glorified Icon of Our Lady of Iveron.

In the afternoon, Archbishop Leo gave an interview to the Finnish radio and television and had a meeting with the Finnish Ambassador in Moscow.

On July 20, the delegation of the Finnish Autonomous Orthodox Church left for their homeland. At the airport, they were seen off by Bishop Hilarion of Podolsk, Representative of the Moscow Patriarchate at the European international organizations, Archpriest Nikolay Balashov, DECR secretary for inter-Orthodox relations, and Rev. Vladimir Alexandrov, a DECR staff member.