Print This Post


On 27 May 2010, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople completed his stay in Moscow by visiting the Church of “The Joy to All the Afflicted” Icon of the Mother of God in Bolshaya Ordynka Street. His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew was accompanied by the delegation of the Patriarchate of Constantinople consisting of Metropolitans Michael of Austria, Irinaios of Myriophyton and Peristasis, Emmanuel of France, general secretary of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople archimandrite Elphidophoros (Lambriniadis), Archimandrite Bessarion (Komzias), and Archdeacon Maximos (Vgenopoulos).

His Holiness was met at the church by its rector, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, DECR deputy chairman archpriest Nikolai Balashov, and clerics of the church.

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople was greeted also by the representative of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in Moscow Metropolitan Athanasios of Kyrenaika, the representative of the Patriarch of the Great Antioch and All the East to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Archbishop Nifon of Philippopolis, and the representatives of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem in Moscow archimandrite Stephen (Dispirakis).

His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew venerated the main relic of the church – miraculous icon of the Mother of God called “The Joy to All the Afflicted” and proceeded to the sanctuary.

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk greeted the high guest who said in response:

“Your Eminence! We are visiting this church at your invitation. I am very happy to see that apart from exercising your duties for the good of the Church as chairman of a Synodal Department, you find time for pastoral work, music and writing books. This moves me, as the main duty of a clergyman consists in serving at the Holy Altar. I thank you for the invitation, give my blessing to all of you and wish you all the best.”

Metropolitan Hilarion presented His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew with “The Joy to All the Afflicted” icon of the Mother of God in prayerful memory of his visit. The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople presented a censer to the church.