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On July 1, 2011, during his visit to Paraguay, Metropolitan Hilarion, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, visited the Catholic University of Asuncion, one of the leading educational institutions in Paraguay.

Metropolitan Hilarion delivered a lecture at the university’s assembly hall to students and professors. Present were also representatives of the university administration and the Catholic Archdiocese of Asuncion, as well as Russian expatriates.

Speaking about the role of Russian emigrants in the development of Paraguay as an independent country, Metropolitan Hilarion said in particular, ‘I have covered over 13 thousand kilometres to come to Paraguay to congratulate its leaders and public on the 200th anniversary of independence. We all highly appreciate the fact that people in Paraguay cherish the memory of Russian warriors who helped the Paraguayans to defend their national interests in the bloody Chaco War in the 1930s’.

Metropolitan Hilarion also spoke about the life of the Russian Orthodox Church today, her international activities and the revival of monastic life and religious education in Russia and other countries under the canonical jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate.

After the lecture Metropolitan Hilarion answered numerous questions from the audience. As a token of his visit, he presented the Catholic University of Asuncion with an icon of the Most Holy Mother of God.

DECR Communication Service