Metropolitan Hilarion concludes his visit to Paraguay

Metropolitan Hilarion, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, concluded his visit to Paraguay on July 4, 2011.

The visit was made on the invitation of the Paraguayan Government and with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and was timed to coincide with the celebrations devoted to the 200^th anniversary of the independence of that Latin American republic.

During his visit, the DECR chairman met with President Fernando Lugo and Vice-President Federico Franco, delivered a lecture at the Catholic University of Paraguay and visited the Catholic Archdiocese of Asuncion.

On Sunday, July 3, Metropolitan Hilarion, assisted by Metropolitan Platon of Argentina and South America, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the capital of Paraguay. He also visited the Russian cemetery in Asuncion, the church of the Assumption of the Russian Church Outside Russia, and met with Russian expatriates living in Paraguay.

During his last day in Paraguay, Metropolitan Hilarion and his party visited the Embassy of the Russian Federation, where Russian Charge d’ Affairs S. Reschikov gave a dinner in honour of the high guest.

DECR Communication Service