NEW YORK: February 22, 2016
Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad Participate in the Patriarchal Visit to Latin America
His Grace Bishop John of Caracas, His Grace Bishop Peter of Cleveland, His Grace Bishop George of can Canberra and His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan participated in the following divine services and events connected to the visit of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to Latin America:
February 50: the feast day of the Meeting of Our Lord in the Temple, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated Divine Liturgy at Holy Virgin Protection Church of the Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Later that day, His Holiness visited the Russian portion La Recoleta municipal cemetery, which in the 1930s was the site where Russian emigres who joined the volunteer army of Paraguay died during the Chaco War (1932 – 1935). The Primate of the Russian Church honored the memory of his fallen compatriots and performed a memorial litany. His Holiness then visited the Hall of Heroes of the Chaco War in the House of the Society of Retired Officers and met with Russians and descendants of Russian emigres. A concert of the clergymen of the local Moscow Diocese then performed.
February 16: His Holiness had an official meeting at Lopez Presidential Palace in Asuncion with President Horacio Manuel Cartes of Paraguay. The Russian Patriarch then flew to Punta Arenas, Chile. Here, in the southernmost nation in South America, is the point of departure for expeditions to Antarctica.
February 20: His Holiness performed a moleben for persecuted Christians at the foot of Christ the Redeemer Statue on the summit of Mount Corcovado in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The Patriarch then visited the Russian Orthodox Church of Holy Martyr of Zinaida in Rio de Janeiro, where he performed a moleben. His Holiness then attended a reception at the residence of Cardinal Orani Joao Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro, organized in honor of His Holiness.
The Russian Patriarch then left for the city of Sao Paulo.
February 21: On the Sunday of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill celebrated Divine Liturgy at St Paul Cathedral of the Antiochian Patriarchate in Sao Paulo. After the services, at the headquarters of the Brazil Metropoliate near St Paul Cathedral, the Patriarch met with Governor Geraldo Alckmin of Sao Paulo. A festive reception followed, honoring His Holiness Patriarch Kirill organized by the Brazilian Metropoliate. His Holiness then visited Annunciation Church of the Russian Orthodox Church, after which he departed for Sao Paulo Airport to fly back to Moscow.
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