The Delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
Spends Several Days in the Capital City of Moscow

On May 17, the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, headed by His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus, visited Donskoy Monastery, where they venerated the Donskoy Icon of the Mother of God and the relics of St. Tikhon, Patriarch of All Russia, and prayed in his residence, after which Metropolitan Laurus conducted a litany over the grave of the eminent Protopresbyter Alexander Kiseleff and his wife, accompanied by the endearing singing of the monastic brethren headed by its prior. On the way to the Moscow Kremlin, the delegation stopped by Marfo-Mariinsky Convent, founded by Holy Martyr Elizabeth at the beginning of the last century. At the Kremlin, the delegation was met by Hegumen Iosif (Shaposhnikov), who heads the services at the Kremlin churches; he opened the reliquaries of the Moscow hierarchs and other saints whose remains are found in the cathedrals of the Kremlin.

Later, the delegation visited the Great Kremlin Palace, where His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus was warmly greeted by the Representative of the President of Russia of the Federal District, G.S. Poltavchenko. At the end of the meeting, Protodeacon Eugene Burbelo intoned "Many Years" to the President of Russia and his representative. On this day, the first meeting of the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and the representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate was held, which was conducted in a spirit of openness, trust and brotherly love, and during which all the questions which divide the two parts of the Russian Church were discussed.

On May 18, the joint discussions continued with the participation of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia, during which a joint statement on the meetings was agreed upon (see On the Visit to Russia of the Official Delegation

of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia), after which a luncheon was offered in honor of His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus and the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. During the meal, Metropolitan Laurus presented His Holiness the Patriarch with an icon of the Holy New Martyrs Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Varvara, which contained portions of their holy relics. That evening, a press conference was held with the participation of His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin, Germany and Great Britain, and His Eminence Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad and Chairman of the Department of External Church Affairs of the MP, who fielded reporters' questions.

On May 19, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus, Their Eminences Archbishop Mark and Archbishop Kyrill and their accompanying clergy prayed at the great consecration of a new church dedicated to the Life-Giving Trinity and in memory of the 1000th Anniversary of the Baptism of Rus' on the Borisov Ponds. The consecration and divine liturgy were headed by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia along with Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsa and Kolomensk and Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk and a host of bishops and clergymen and a multitude of worshipers. Among them prayed the First Lady of Russia, L.A. Putina and the Representative of the President of Russia of the Central Federal District, G.S. Poltavchenko. On the eve of the Ascension, the delegation prayed during vigil at the stavropighial Sretensky Monastery in Moscow, at the end of which His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus spoke a word of greeting to Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov), the monastic brethren, seminarians and worshipers, blessing the Superior and the brethren with an icon of St. John (Maximovich) of Shanghai and San Francisco, which contained a portion of his miracle-working relics. In his response, Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) expressed his profound gratitude for their visit and the prayer of His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus and presented His Eminence with a tabernacle. Dinner was then offered at the superior's residence.

On the Ascension of the Lord, the delegation will pray at the service at the Great Church of the Ascension at Nikita Gates, which celebrates its feast day. Then, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus will meet with parishioners of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia who have moved to Russia and work in Moscow. On Friday, the delegation will depart for Ekaterniburg.