On Tuesday, November 20, a meeting was held at the residence of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in New York City between the Administrator pro tempore of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, and Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York.
Prior to the meeting, Bishop Matthew venerated the holy icons and relics of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign, including the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.
Metropolitan Hilarion greeted Bishop Matthew, congratulating him on his assignment to the position of Administrator of the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA, and expressed his hope for the continued brotherly cooperation of the two parts of the Russian Orthodox Church in the United States and in Canada, where Bishop Matthew is temporarily fulfilling his archpastoral service.
Also taking part in the meeting were Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, Archpriest Serafim Gan (chancellor of the ROCOR Synod of Bishops), Abbot Tikhon (Gayfudinov; personal secretary to the First Hierarch), Abbot Nicodemus (Balyasnikov; cleric of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City), and Subdeacon Nicholas Trubnikov (personal secretary to the Bishop of Sourozh).
Upon completion of their meeting, both parties continued their brotherly interaction over tea, and shared exchanged commemorative gifts.
ROCOR First Hierarch meets with Administrator of Patriarchal Parishes in USA - 11/20/18
Photos: P. Lukianov - Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese
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