DECEMBER 6, 2008
Metropolitan Hilarion Congratulates the new Head of the Orthodox Church in America

On Tuesday, December 2, 2008, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia visited the residence of His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah and congratulated him on his election as head of the Orthodox Church in America. Giving His Beatitude an icon of St Nicholas the Miracle-worker, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion expressed the hope that the prayers and omophorion of the great hierarch always accompany him in his travels, in his service and difficult archpastoral labors. Metropolitan Jonah then performed a moleben to St John of Shanghai and San Francisco at the chapel, after which the hierarchs shared a trapeza luncheon. Also at the meeting, held in the spirit of Christ’s love and mutual understanding, were His Grace Bishop John of Caracas; Protopriest Alexander Garklavs, Administrator of the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America; Protopriest Serafim Gan, Chancellor of the Synod of Bishops and Secretary of the First Hierarch of the Church Abroad; and Reader Dionisii Lvov.