Archbishop Hilarion venerates old shrines in Cyprus

Archbishop Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, visited the Stavrovouni Monastery of the Honorable and Life-giving Cross of Our Lord, the oldest monastery in Cyprus founded in the 4^th century by the Holy Queen Helen Equal-to-the-Apostles.

He and his party were welcomed by the father superior, Archimandirte Athanasios and the brethren. After greeting them, Archbishop Hilarion venerated the monastery’s main shrine – a particle of the Holy Cross. At the father superior’s request, he signed the honorary visitors’ book.

Later that day, Archbishop Hilarion prayed in the 4^th century Panagia Angelokisti Church of the Most Holy Mother of God with its 4 century mosaic picturing Virgin Mary and Archangels Michael and Gabriel.

In conclusion of his pilgrimage, Archbishop Hilarion visited the cathedral of the Metropolis Kition in Larnaca. He venerated the relics and tomb of St. Lazar of the Fourth Day, a friend of the Lord and the first bishop of Kition.

Archbishop Hilarion was accompanied by Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria, director for inter-church relations and European affairs of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus.