Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk celebrates Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of St Panteleimon on Mount Athos

On 15 February 2014, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, visited the Old Roussikon hermitage which is undergoing restoration.

That same day the pilgrims arrived in the Monastery of St Panteleimon and met with its hegumen, schema-archimandrite Jeremiah. After vigil, Metropolitan Hilarion venerated the shrines of the monastery and visited a new church dedicated to the holy Russian sovereigns.

Metropolitan Hilarion celebrates Divine Liturgy at Vatopedi Monastery

On 14th February 2014, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, and his suite currently on a pilgrimage to the Holy Mount Athos, arrived at the Vatopedi Monastery. They venerated the Cinctute of the Theotokos, the miraculous icons of the Heavenly Queen called ‘Comfort and Consolation’ and ‘The Queen of All,’ and the precious heads of Ss Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom.

Archimandrite Ephraim, hegumen of the monastery, informed the guests of the last developments in the monastic life and paid special attention to changes for the better in the life of the Russian Orthodox Church as the number of its dioceses has increased. Also discussed was the situation of Christians in Syria.

After the talk Metropolitan Hilarion and his suite proceeded to the Annunciation Cathedral where the All-Night Vigil was celebrated.

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk visits the Iveron Monastery and Xilourgou scete on Mount Athos

On 13th February 2014 Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, who is visiting Mount Athos with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, arrived at the Iveron Monastery. After a talk with archimandrite Nathaniel, hegumen of the monastery, the DECR chairman read Akathistos in the Greek language before the Iveron miraculous icon of the Mother of God. Later, he met with archimandrite Baselios, the former hegumen, who shared his impressions of the conference ‘St. Isaac the Syrian and His Spiritual Heritage’, held in Moscow last October.

Archbishop Mark of Yegorievsk consecrates the Church of the Ascension on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand

On 6 February 2014, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Archbishop Mark of Yegorievsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Administration for Institutions Abroad, began his visit to Thailand and Cambodia.

Meeting Archbishop Mark at the Bangkok airport were archimandrite Oleg (Cherepanin), representative of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Kingdom of Thailand; Mr. Alexei Falunin, vice-consul of the Russian Federation in the Kingdom of Thailand; and local clergymen.

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk arrives on Mount Athos

On 13th February 2014 Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, who is visiting Mount Athos with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, arrived at the Iveron Monastery. After a talk with archimandrite Nathaniel, hegumen of the monastery, the DECR chairman read Akathistos in the Greek language before the Iveron miraculous icon of the Mother of God. Later, he met with archimandrite Baselios, the former hegumen, who shared his impressions of the conference ‘St. Isaac the Syrian and His Spiritual Heritage’, held in Moscow last October.