JERUSALEM: August 22, 2023
His Beatitude the Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine receives the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

On Tuesday, August 22, 2023, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, arrived in Jerusalem and was greeted at the Ascension Convent on the Mount of Olives, where, on the feast day of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the feast day of the Apostle Matthias, His Eminence led the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. After the meal, Metropolitan Nicholas conversed with Abbess Varvara (Novikova) and the sisters of the monastery.

On the same day, His Eminence, having venerated the Life-Giving Sepulcher of the Lord and Holy Golgotha, was received by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine in the Jerusalem Patriarchate. Here Patriarch Theophilos greeted Metropolitan Nicholas, wishing him a blessed and fruitful pilgrimage. At the end of this meeting, which was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, the hierarchs exchanged memorable gifts. His Eminence was accompanied by Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia) and Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur.

Then the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad proceeded to the headquarters of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem (Moscow Patriarchate). Here the distinguished guest was greeted by the Chief of the Mission, Archimandrite Alexander (Elisov), mission staff and sisters.

Metropolitan Nicholas visited the first Russian church in the Holy Land, the house church of the Martyr Alexandra, located in the mission building. Here he warmly thanked the inhabitants for the warm and cordial welcome, noting that he was visiting the Holy Land for the first time in his new rank.

Responding to the words of Metropolitan Nicholas, Archimandrite Alexander stressed that it is especially important for the workers of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission to realize spiritual closeness with the episcopate and clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and especially with its First Hierarch, to feel fraternal love and unity of purpose in today's changing world. In memory of his visit to the Mission, Archimandrite Alexander presented His Eminence with a bishop's staff.

Then tea was offered, during which the First Hierarch continued his communication with Fr Roman and Fr Alexander.