wfn.org | GOAA - Archbishop Demetrios Begins Official Visit to Moscow Partiarchate

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> May 24, 2008

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> Email:  communications@goarch.org

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS COMMENCES OFFICIAL VISIT TO MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE

DELIVERS ADDRESS AT MOSCOW SPIRITUAL ACADEMY AND THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Moscow --  Archbishop Demetrios of America arrived in Moscow, together with the delegation from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, on Thursday afternoon, May 22. The Archbishop was welcomed officially at the airport by Bishop Mark of Egorievsk, the Vice-Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate, and Protopresbyter Nikolai Balashov, Secretary for Inter-Orthodox Relations. Bishop Mark expressed the warm welcome of Patriarch Alexy, as well as that of Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, who was in Smolensk preparing for the celebration of his nameday, the feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodios (Saturday May 24th; which is the 11th on the Old Calendar). After transfer to the Danilovsky Monastery, a walled compound containing an official residence for the Patriarch, the headquarters of the Moscow Patriarchateâ??s Department for External Church Relations, and the Hotel where the delegation is staying, the delegation was hosted at a welcome dinner.

On Friday, May 23, the first full day of the delegation in Moscow, Bishop Mark of Egorievsk accompanied the Archbishop and the members of the delegation to the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius Lavra, one of the most famous Orthodox Monasteries in the world, found in 1340 by St. Sergius of Radonezh, the patron Saint of Russia. The Monastery, which has had during its lengthy history as many as 2000 monastics, contains numerous Churches, shrines, and all the Seminary facilities. It is one of the most visited religious sites in all of Russia.

On the 50 mile trip to the Monastery, the delegation had the opportunity to stop and visit the renowned Patriarchal Ecclesiastical Workshops at Sofrino (www.sofrino.ru), where the Archbishop and the delegation were received by the Director, given a tour of the facility, chapel and museum, and were hosted at a reception in his honor. At the arrival of the Archbishop, church bells rang and prayers of thanksgiving were offered in the Chapel.

After departing Sofrino, the delegation proceeded to the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, where the Archbishop and the members of the delegation were received by Archimandrites of the Monastery and by officials of the Moscow Spiritual Academy and Theological Seminary: the Vice-rector Archpriest Vladimir Shmaliy and the Academic Secretary Archpriest Pavel Velikanov. The Archbishop and the delegation were conducted to the main Church of Monastery, in order to venerate the holy relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh. As they made their way to the Church, passing through the massive walls that surround the Monastery, pilgrims approached the Archbishop and the accompanying Hierarchs to receive their blessing. After venerating the relics of St. Sergius, the delegation was accompanied to the former refectory of the Monastery, now a Church, which was the site of the election of Patriarch Alexy. Inside the Church, the Archbishop led the delegation in chanting â??Christos Anesti,â?? to the visible joy of the clergy, monks and pilgrims.

After visiting another of the many churches in the Monastery, this one dedicated to the Dormition, which houses holy relics of St. Maxim the Greek and St. Innocent of Alaska, the official party was conducted to the Moscow Spiritual Academy and Theological Seminary, where the hundreds of students were waiting in the main auditorium for the address of the Archbishop. The Archbishop, together with the Hierarchs of the delegation, was seated on a dais and introduced to the student body and professors by Fr. Shmaliy. The Archbishop then delivered his address in English, assisted by a translator, entitled â??Healing the Wounded World.â?? The day, being the eve of the Feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodios, Apostles to the Slavs and the Russian National Holiday of Slavic Letters, presented an occasion for the Archbishop to address the theology that stands behind how the Message of the Gospel is transmitted to heal a wounded and ailing world (the address may be seen at http://www.goarch.org/en/news/moscowaddress.html). In his conclusion, the Archbishop said:

â??On this occasion, as we stand ready to commemorate once again the Feast of Saints Cyril and Methodios, you as their spiritual descendants should take great courage in the example that they set, and in the power of holding to the model of healthy words which was given to you.  It is a power to change the world!  For me, a son of Thessaloniki ? the ciity of Saints Cyril and Methodios? and an Exarch of thee same Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople that sent them on their apostolic mission of evangelization to share the Good News of the Gospel, it is an honor to be present here in person with you to rejoice in their ever-memorable legacy of faithfulness to the Gospel, to Truth, to right worship, and to unlimited love.â??

As the Archbishop concluded his address with a joyous â??Christos Anesti,â?? the student body rose on its feet with the reply â??Alithos Anesti!â?? in Greek, and then proceeded to chant
â??Eis Polla Eti, Despota,â?? as they received the blessing of the Archbishop. His Eminence then presented a silver censer to the Seminary as a commemorative token of the visit. Following a tour of the Seminary Chapel and Museum, the Archbishop and the delegation were hosted at a formal luncheon.

Following the return to Moscow, the delegation proceeded to the Greek Embassy, where Ambassador Ilias Klis was waiting to receive the Archbishop. The entire delegation was hosted by the Ambassador and members of the Greek diplomatic staff, in the magnificent facility which houses the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic to Russia.

Accompanying Archbishop Demetrios on this official visit to the Moscow Patriarchate are the following Hierarchs: Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, and Bishop Savas of Troas. Archdiocesan lay representatives include Mr. Michael Jaharis, Vice-Chairman of the Archdiocesan Council; Mrs. Aphrodite Skeadas, Treasurer of National Philoptochos; Dr. Anthony Limberakis, National Commander of the Order of Archons of St. Andrew; and Dr. Antoine Harovas. Archdiocesan staff include Fr. Alexander Karloutsos, Fr. Mark Arey, Archdeacon Pandeleimon Papadopoulos, Mr. Jerry Dimitriou, and Mr. Demetrios Panagos.  Photos of the official visit can be viewed at http://photos.goarch.org/main.php?g2_itemId=1478