NEW YORK: May 23, 2008
The Archpastoral Visit of the Primate of the Russian Church Abroad to Novo-Diveevo Convent

On May 21, 2008, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion made his first archpastoral visit to a church of the Diocese of Eastern America and New York since his election as Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. On the day of Mid-Pentecost and the feast day of Apostle John the Theologian, His Eminence visited the Stavropighial Assumption Convent of Novo-Diveevo, in the city of Nanuet, not far from New York City. One of the first Orthodox monasteries in the New World, taking the name of the Diveevo Convent in Russia, was founded in 1949 by Protopresbyter Adrian Rymarenko (later Bishop Andrei), to be a spiritual center for Orthodox Christians settling in the United States. 

His Eminence was greeted by a multitude of clergymen and lay people. Vladyka Hilarion celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Church of St Seraphim of Sarov. On this day, during which the celebration of the Bright Pascha of Christ continues, the Head of the Russian Church Abroad was joined by seven clergymen. 

Many people, including virtually all of the monastics, partook of the Holy Mysteries of Christ on this day.

 
After Liturgy, His Eminence Hilarion congratulated all of the worshipers on the Bright Resurrection of Christ and read a sermon to the sisters and parishioners. The Primate of the Church Abroad pointed out how important it is for Orthodox Christians to live by the Testament of Christ, and to draw the bountiful grace pouring forth from the life and divine services of the Church, as from the Well of Silouan in the Gospel.  

After a spiritually-nourishing discussion over trapeza, Metropolitan Hilarion, accompanied by Protopriest Alexander Fedorowsky and Hegumen Ioann (Magramm), visited the largest cemetery of the Russian Diaspora, which is the final resting place of Bishop Andrei, leading figures in the emigre community and entire families of Russians who found themselves abroad, who, while far from their Homeland, preserved her traditions and Orthodox ideals. 

Wishing the nuns and pilgrims Divine help and bestowing his First-Hierarchal blessing, Metropolitan Hilarion returned to New York.