CHISTOPOL, RUSSIA: July 26, 2016
Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York Visits the Cathedral City of Chistopol Diocese

On July 25, 2016, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, visited the city of Chistopol, Russia, along with a group of pilgrims from the USA and Australia.

The delegation, which arrived via ship, was met by His Grace Bishop Parmen of Chistopol and Nizhnekamsk, Administrator of the Chistopol Diocese, along with his clergymen, as well as Imam-Mukhtasib of the Chistopol region, Mukhammad Khazrat Kiyamov, and other Muslim clerics, and Mr Dmitry Ivanov, Head of the Chistopol Municipality, and other city officials.

During the ceremonious welcome, the archpastors exchanged greetings, after which everyone headed to St Nicholas Cathedral for divine services. During the service, Bishop Parmen gave Metropolitan Hilarion a painted Akhtyrsk Icon of the Mother of God. This icon is one of the most renowned holy items of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and is kept in a private home in Australia. Exactly a week earlier, the Chistopol Diocese had celebrated the 200 th anniversary of the appearance of a famous copy of the Akhtyrsk Icon, which is greatly revered in the region.

After services, the visitors were taken on an excursion of the city and its churches. Mr Ivanov pointed out the recently-opened monument in Skaryatin Garden to the author Boris Pasternak, who lived in Chistopol for several years.

The pilgrims were then invited to the Church of the “Tenderness” Icon of the Mother of God, where, after venerating the church’s relics and icons, luncheon was offered.
Bidding farewell to their hosts, Metropolitan Hilarion fervently thanked Vladyka Parmen and Mr Ivanov for their hospitality, and offered his primatial blessings to the Chistopol flock.