NEW YORK: June 3, 2008
The Archpastoral Travels of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad

5/19 May 2008

His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, accompanied by His Grace Bishop Peter of Cleveland, traveled to Holy Trinity Monastery, in Jordanville, NY.  At 5:00 pm, in the main cathedral of the monastery, a solemn service of supplications was served by all the monastery's clergy, headed by Metropolitan Hilarion.  All the monastery's inhabitants, seminaries, guests and neighbors also took part in the service of supplication.  After the service, all active members of the monastic brotherhood descended into the lower Church of St Job of Pochaev for the election of the new abbot of the monastery.  By secret ballot, Archimandrite Luke (Murianka) was chosen the new abbot of the brotherhood.  Many Years was sung to the new abbot, and Metropolitan Hilarion wished him spiritual wisdom in the governing of the brotherhood entrusted to his care.

On the following day, His Eminence prayed at the early Divine Liturgy.  After the morning meal, a formal photograph was taken on the steps of the cathedral before Vladyka departed for New York with the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God.

On the way to New York, His Eminence stopped at the Church of the Nativity of the All-Holy Theotokos, in Albany, with the Kursk-Root Icon.  There, a moleben was served before the holy icon, after which Vladyka was able to acquaint himself with the parishioners in the church hall.

On his return to New York, Vladyka lunched with guests from the Province of Saratov, among whom was the Lieutenant Governor of the province.  After this luncheon, Vladyka returned to the Synod Residence and resumed his work on church matters.

13/26 May 2008

Metropolitan Hilarion was invited to dine with one of the most senior priests of our Church by date of ordination: Mitred Protopriest Vladimir Doroskiewicz, Rector of the Church of the Holy Unmercenary Physicians Cosmas and Damian in the city of Passaic, New Jersey.  The following Monday (20 May/2 June 2008) will mark 65 years from the day of Fr Vladimir's ordination to the deaconate.  Fr Vladimir was born in Poland 88 years ago.  Throughout the difficult period of Soviet domination, he lived in his native land, but in the late 1980's relocated to the United States.  Fr Vladimir's son, Archimandrite Varsonofy, is an instructor at the Theological Academy in Warsaw.  After supper a general photograph was taken.  Having blessed his host, Vladyka returned to his residence.

17/30 May 2008

In the afternoon, Metropolitan Hilarion left the city of New York and traveled upstate, where, in the city of Utica, His Eminence visited Protopriest Michael Taratukhin.  Fr Michael showed Vladyka the memorial church of St John of Kronstadt, of which he is Rector.  He conducted Vladyka Hilarion on a tour of the church and the parish hall, showed him the metrical books, and also described to him the life of the parish. 

18/31 May 2008

On Saturday morning, His Eminence visited the gravely sick Protopriest Gabriel Kin, in the town of Richfield Springs, not far from Holy Trinity Monastery. Vladyka prayed by the sick man's bedside and conversed with Matushka Kin.  Fr Gabriel and Matushka Nadezhda had lived the very difficult life of Russian immigrants.  Vladyka thanked matushka for her support of Fr Gabriel throughout his priestly ministry.