PRAGUE: September 11, 2008
A Delegation of the Russian Church Abroad Arrived on the Territory of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia

On September 10, 2008, a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, headed by His Grace Bishop Peter of Cleveland, arrived in Prague. Venerating the altar table of Assumption Church at the Russian cemetery, the delegation headed for the city of Brno. There, on the feast day of the Beheading of St John the Baptist, Bishop Peter and the members of the delegation participated in Divine Liturgy headed by His Eminence Archbishop Simeon of Moravia at the Church of St Wenceslas of the Czech Lands. It is worth noting that two great men of piety participated in its consecration: Holy Hierarch-Martyr Gorazd of Czech and Moravia and St Justin (Popovich).

After the divine service, Bishop Peter gave Archbishop Simeon a portion of the relics of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco for the Orthodox church in Brno. In his greeting, Protopriest Josef Feisak, the church’s Rector, remembered the late Metropolitan Laurus of blessed memory, who loved to visit the region, and expressed his pleasure at the concelebration held on this day, which became possible because of the restoration last year of the fullness of brotherly communion within the one Local Russian Orthodox Church. At the end, Fr Josef introduced the members of the delegation, and gave Bishop Peter a part of the holy relics of St Ludmila of Bohemia. Then, at the parish hall, the Rector hosted a luncheon in honor of Archbishop Simeon, Bishop Peter and the other guests.  

Bidding farewell to Archbishop Simeon and Fr Josef, Bishop Peter and those with him returned to Prague, where they visited with His Beatitude Metropolitan Krystof, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, who joyfully welcomed them to dinner in his residence. His Grace Bishop Melety of Hotins, Vicar of the Chernovtsy and Bukovino Diocese was also in attendance.

Bishop Peter is being accompanied by Protopriest Serafim Gan, Priest Lubomir Kupec, Deacon Nicholas Olhovsky and Reader Eugene Hrihoriak.