NEW YORK: October 25, 2013
Metropolitan Hilarion Congratulates Protection Parish in Asuncion, Paraguay, on the 85 th Anniversary of the Consecration of their Church

From the Editors: On October 25-27, 2013 , Holy Virgin Protection Parish in Asuncion, Paraguay, will celebrate its 85 th anniversary. His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, sent His Grace Bishop John of Caracas and South America, the clergy, parishioners and worshipers of this church a congratulatory letter:

To His Grace Bishop JOHN
of Caracas and South America
Your Grace , Dear Vladyka!

Dear in the Lord Fathers, Brothers and Sisters:

I greet you with all my heart on this great event: the 85 th anniversary of the consecration of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Asuncion! With love and gratitude we remember on these days the late Archimandrite Pachomius, who served before the Revolution as the abbot of a small monastery in the Ural Mountains, and then responded to the invitation of Protopresbyter Konstantin Izrastsov to go to Asuncion to serve at the new church, which was built with the help of General Belyaev and General Erna, Colonel Shchekin and five Russian engineers. We prayerfully remember Archbishop Innokenty (Petrov, +1987), Protopriest Mikhail Klyarovsky, Priest Alexei Yablochkov, Hieromonk Agafangel, and other clergymen and parishioners who served the church there.

We don’t celebrate important dates for their own sake, but in order that we remember where we come from; so that we humbly life our gratitude to God for the fact that our predecessors planted seeds that sprouted and brought forth abundant fruit. And in this celebration, this prayer to God on this date, we must find renewal in our own service, our common work. I join with you in celebration with hopes that it brings the desired results in the spiritual life of Protection Parish, of Russian Orthodox faithful in Asuncion and all those who seek hospice in your church!
I wish with all my soul that the present Rector, parishioners and worshipers of this church receive all-powerful Divine help in emulating the zeal of the parish founders, that He grant you renewed strength, blessed successes and spiritual blossoming in serving God, the Church and mankind!

With love in the Lord and a request for your prayers,
+HILARION
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia