Notes from Met. Jonah's visit to Russia, installment 2

(st-catherine.ru) - On Monday, His Beatitude, Metropolitan JONAH of All America and Canada, during his visit to the Russian Orthodox Church had the opportunity to visit the Moscow Podvorie of the Valaam Monastery. His Beatitude arrived in time to pray in the Podvorie’s church towards the end of the daily Divine Liturgy. Afterwards, Hieromonk Joseph, a brother of Valaam Monastery welcomed the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America on behalf of the Monastery’s Abbot, His Grace Bishop PANKRATY of Troitsk. Following the greeting, Metropolitan JONAH and the delegation accompanying him were given a tour of the Podvorie. One of the highlights of the tour was the possibility to see the monastic cell where the Metropolitan lived for almost a year during the early 1990’s. Also, the visitors were offered tea and sweets in the monastery receiving room.

Following the visit to the Valaam Podvorie, His Beatitude, Metropolitan JONAH departed to the main headquarters of the St Andrew the First Called Foundation for a meeting with its President, Senator Sergei E. Sheblygin, First Vice-President Mikhail I. Yakushev, Vice-President Vladimir A. Mischenko, and the Head of the Foundation’s program, “Sanctity of Motherhood,” Mrs. Natalia V. Yakunina. Also participating in the meeting were: Their Graces, Bishop ALEKSANDR of Dmitrov; MELCHISEDEK of Pittsburg and Western Pennsylvania; Archimandrite Zacchaeus, Representative of the Orthodox Church in America to the Moscow Patriarchate; Mr. Alexander A. Nazarenko, Staff Member of the Department of External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church; and Riasaphor Monk Gregory (Stevens), Aide to Metropolitan JONAH.

During the course of the meeting with the St Andrew the First Called Foundation’s administration, Metropolitan JONAH had the opportunity to learn about the programs the foundation offers, especially in working with Pro-Life through the “Sanctity of Motherhood” as well as the program “Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem” and the sponsoring of bringing holy relics of the saints from abroad to Russia for veneration by the Russian Orthodox faithful. A sorely needed ministry with just over 62% of all children aborted in Russia every year. Following a very informational, interesting and pleasant meeting, His Beatitude, Metropolitan JONAH and the delegation accompanying him were offered a meal at a nearby restaurant where they had the opportunity to continue their discussions with Mikhail I. Yakushev and Vladimir A. Mischenko.

After the meeting with members of the St Andrew the First Called Foundation, Metropolitan JONAH and his delegation traveled to the Embassy of Canada to meet with Canadian Ambassador John Sloan. The meeting with Ambassador Sloan was focused on the work of the parishes and monasteries of the Orthodox Church in America in its Archdiocese of Canada, as well as the current situation of Orthodoxy throughout the world. Likewise, Ambassador Sloan shared much interesting information about Canada with his guests.

Later that evening, the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America and his delegation visited the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department of External Church Relations where they met with its Chairman, His Eminence, Metropolitan HILARION of Volokolamsk. There, the discussion focused on the important work being undertaken by the Russian Orthodox Church within Russia, as well as the functions of parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church which serve Russians living abroad.