GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106
Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0215
Web: http://www.goarch.org
Email: communications@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
19, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nikki Stephanopoulos
Archbishop Demetrios to Visit Moscow at the Official Invitation of
Patriarch
Alexy
New York, NY - On Wednesday May 22nd, Archbishop Demetrios of America will
travel to Russia, leading a delegation from the Archdiocese on an official
visit to the Patriarchate of Moscow. This first official visit of an
Archbishop of America to the Church of Russia comes after the invitation
of
Patriarch Alexy II, conveyed both in person by His Grace Bishop Mercurius
of
Zaraisk, the Administrator of the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in
the
United States, and in writing by His Eminence Metropolitan Kirill of
Smolensk and Kaliningrad, the Head of External Relations of the Moscow
Patriarchate.
Accompanying the Archbishop on the seven day visit will be two Members of
the Holy Eparchial Synod, Metropolitan Methodios of Boston and
Metropolitan
Alexios of Atlanta, as well as the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Bishop
Savas of Troas, Mr. Michael Jaharis, the Vice Chairman of the Archdiocesan
Council, representatives of major Church organizations, and accompanying
staff.
The visit comes at a time of im****tant developments in the Russian
Orthodox
Church in America, especially the reunification of the Moscow Patriarchate
and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR). The visit also
comes during an im****tant and auspicious celebration in the Russian
Federation, that of Slavic Letters Day; the only Holiday of both a
national
and religious character. The celebration of Slavic Letters Day on May 24th
(May 11th on the Old or Julian Calendar) commemorates Sts. Cyril and
Methodios, the apostles to the Slavs who were blood brothers from
Thessaloniki, sent by Patriarch Photios the Great of Constantinople to
evangelize the Slavic lands in the ninth century. It is a day when the
faith, linguistic, and ethnic heritage of the Russian people is
commemorated
by both the State and the Church. On that day, Archbishop Demetrios and
the
accompanying Hierarchs will serve Divine Liturgy with Patriarch Alexy II
in
the world renown Cathedral of the Dormition inside the walls of the
Kremlin,
and will participate in special commemorative festivities for the
occasion.
Commenting on this unique op****tunity Archbishop Demetrios said:
"For me, a son of Thessaloniki - the city of Saints Cyril and Methodios,
and
as Exarch of the same E***enical Patriarchate of Constantinople that sent
them on their apostolic mission of evangelization to share the Good News
of
the Gospel - this is a distinct honor and a remarkable op****tunity to
express the unity of our Orthodox Faith, our historical roots and
connections, and to amplify our continuing dialogue of fraternal love and
mutual respect."
Some of the highlights of the schedule are described below, and there will
be daily postings on the website of the Archdiocese (www.goarch.org) that
will update the faithful on the activities and events as they occur.
Thursday May 22 - Arrival and official welcome of the Archbishop and
Hierarchs by Hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Friday May 23 - The Archbishop and the delegation will be hosted at the
famous St. Sergios of Radonezh Monastery outside of Moscow. The Monastery,
among its many Churches and facilities, houses the Moscow Spiritual
Academy,
the largest Graduate Theological School in all of Russia. Archbishop
Demetrios will offer an address to the Faculty and Student Body.
Saturday May 24th - The Celebration of Slavic Letters Day; Divine Liturgy
at
the Dormition Cathedral in the Kremlin with Patriarch Alexy II;
participation in the State and Church festivities and a reception hosted
by
the Patriarch.
Sunday May 25th - The Archbishop and his delegation will be hosted by
Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad.
Monday May 26th - Visits to various religious and philanthropic
institutions
in Moscow.
Tuesday, May 27 - The Archbishop will have a private audience with
Patriarch
Alexy II.
Throughout the week, official talks and dialogues will be scheduled for
the
Archbishop with differing representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Archbishop returns to the United States on Wednesday, May 28th.
|
