KOZELSK, RUSSIA: July 11, 2017
Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, Leading a Pilgrimage, Participates In Divine Services in Optina Hermitage

His Eminence Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk and His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, His Grace Bishop Nikita of Kozelsk and Lyudinovsk and His Grace Bishop Seraphim of Tarussk, Vicar of the Kaluga Diocese, celebrated Divine Liturgy at Vvedensky Optina Hermitage in Russia.

Also serving at the church dedicated to the Entrance Into the Temple of the Most-Holy Mother of God were the monastery’s Prior, Archimandrite Venedikt (Penkov), the monastic clergymen and those of the Kaluga Diocese.

An augmented litany for peace in Ukraine was included in the Liturgy, after which a moleben was performed to St Amvrosy, Elder of Optina the Miracle-worker at the crypt containing his relics.

Metropolitan Kliment then spoke words of welcome to Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and to Fr Venedikt and his monks, as well as the pilgrims.Fr Venedikt then thanked the archpastors for their service, noting that visiting hierarchs always inspire the monks to more fervent service to God. He gave Metropolitan Hilarion an icon of St Amvrosy, who was a greatly influential spiritual leader of the 19th century.

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