DIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND: January 9, 2018
Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York serves on the first days of Christmas

On the eve of the Nativity of Christ, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, officiated at solemn services at SS Peter and Paul Cathedral in Sydney, Australia. He was joined by His Grace Bishop George of Canberra, Vicar of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand; Protopriest George Lapardin, Senior Priest of the cathedral, and its other clergymen. The cathedral choir sang gloriously under the direction of Andrei Laptev.

On the Synaxis of the Mother of God, His Eminence celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Church of All Russian Saints at the Archbishop’s Residence in Croydon, NSW, then hosted a reception for the clergymen and a multitude of parishioners of neighboring churches, representatives of church and social organizations. Metropolitan Hilarion continued to receive congratulations until late evening.

On the third day of Nativity, His Eminence led divine services at the large Protection of the Holy Virgin Church in Cabramatta, near Sydney. Offering his archpastoral blessings to the worshipers, Vladyka Hilarion then visited the nearby St Sergius Aged Care center, where he offered Christmas greetings to the administration, staff and residence.

Photos: Protodeacon Alexander Kotlaroff