Sts Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Institute
15 Dec 09: His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion visits Wellington, New Zealand
On Saturday the 12th of December 2009 His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, 1st Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia flew from Sydney, Australia to begin his archpastoral visit to the New Zealand Deanery of the ROCOR. The Metropolitan’s delegation was warmly greeted at Wellington International Airport by representatives of the Russian Orthodox Community with bread and salt.
Metropolitan Hilarion concelebrated the Great Vespers at the Christ the Saviour Church in Wellington with Priest Lubomir Kudrich of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Hieromonk Ambrose (Mooney) of the ROCOR. The following morning the Divine liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, also serving was Very Reverend Archpriest Vladimir Boikov, Dean of New Zealand, with Priest Lubomir Kudrich of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Deacon Daniel Millwood. The service was attended by a great multitude of faithful who had travelled from all parts of the North Island to receive their Hierarch’s archpastoral blessing and partake in Holy Communion. (more…)
13 Dec 09: 25th Anniversary of the Episcopal Consecration of the Primate of the Church Abroad (photos / video)
From the moment of his election as First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and subsequent move to New York, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion makes two trips a year—in summer and winter—to his Diocese of Australia and New Zealand. The worshipers of over 30 churches, monasteries and sketes joyfully await the arrival of their Vladyka. These visits always coincide with a great number of events in the life of the Diocese of the Russian diaspora. Life within the Russian Orthodox community picks up pace in an effort to fit in with the schedule of Vladyka Hilarion.
And so it is during this sojourn, besides festive divine services at SS Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Church in Croydon and Archangel Michael Church, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, Vladyka also managed to visit those parishes which he did not during his last trip. Vladyka made trips to the convent in Kentlyn, Entrance Into the Temple Women’s Skete in Bungarbee, and St Nicholas Church in Adelaide. Ahead lies a trip to New Zealand and Melbourne, where the 45th Diocesan Orthodox Youth Conference will be held. This time, Vladyka will be traveling together with Russia’s myrrh-streaming Icon of the Mother of God “Softener of Evil Hearts.” (more…)