LONDON: November 19, 2009
Photo-Report on the Archpastoral Visit of the Primate of the Russian Church Abroad to Great Britain

From November 9-15, 2009, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion visited the parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in Liverpool, Mattingham and Colchester, and performed a moleben at the relics of St Alban the Martyr. His Eminence's schedule in London included meetings with Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia and Orthodox students of Oxford University. Metropolitan Hilarion also met with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and visited Westminster Abbey. Later, Yuri Fedotov, Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, hosted a reception in honor of the high guest.

On November 14, His Eminence officiated at Divine Liturgy at Nativity of the Mother of God Cathedral in London along with His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany, Administrator of the Parishes of the Russian Church Abroad in Great Britain; His Grace Bishop Elisei of Sourozh; and His Eminence Archbishop Anatoly of Kerchensk, and many local clergymen. After the end of Divine Liturgy, His Eminence consecrated the new iconostasis and panikadilo (chandelier) in the upper church. Then His Eminence gave a gramata (decree of blessing) from the President of the Synod of Bishops to SD Kondrashov "in view of his earnest labors, generosity and active participation in church life."

After the services, the Cathedral parish offered a festive luncheon. That evening, the hierarchs performed all-night vigil in Dormition Cathedral of the Sourozh Diocese, at the end of which Bishop Elisei hosted an evening reception in honor of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad. The next morning, Sunday, November 15, Metropolitan Hilarion celebrated Divine Liturgy at Nativity of the Mother of God Cathedral.