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On March 23, 2014, the 3d week of Lent, Adoration of the Cross, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Russian Orthodox Church’s parish in Zurich, Switzerland.

His Eminence was assisted by Archpriest Mikhail Zeman, rector of the parish, Hieromonk Ioann (Kopeikin), pro-rector of the Ss Cyril and Methodius Institute of Post-Graduate Studies, and Protodeacon Viktor Shilovsky of St. Nicholas’s in Vienna.

After the liturgy and the adoration of the Honourable Cross, Father Mikhail greeted the archpastor on behalf of the clergy and parishioners and thanked His Eminence for his visit to the cathedral and the joy of common prayer.

Metropolitan Hilarion delivered an achpastoral homily. First of all he conveyed to the parish a blessing from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, who had visited the parish on many occasions in his capacity as the DECR chairman who had blessed its establishment and directly participated in its development.

In his homily, Metropolitan Hilarion concentrated on the meaning of the Cross of the Lord and the cross to be humbly carried by a Christian in all tribulations, always remembering that in all trials we are not alone but the Lord is invariably with us.

In the evening of the same day, Metropolitan Hilarion departed for Fribourg for a theological conference on primacy in the Church.

DECR Communication Service