DIOCESE OF SOUTH AMERICA: May 18, 2009
Feast Day at Resurrection Cathedral 

The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Buenos Aires, Argentina, of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia traditionally marks its feast day on Thomas Sunday, that is, one week after Pascha. 

This year, His Eminence Metropolitan Platon of Argentina and South America and His Grace Bishop John of Caracas officiated at services this year along with Protopriest Igor Bulatov and Protodeacon Nikolai Radish. In his sermon, Vladyka John discussed the teachings of Blessed Augustine on the Gospel story of Thomas Sunday. St Augustine points out that Christ appeared to a gathering of all the Apostles, not to Thomas alone.      

A representative of Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cults arrived by the end of service to relay official congratulations on the holiday. Afterwards, Bishop John invited the parishioners and worshipers to share a trapeza at the church hall.  

Before the lunch began, right after prayers, Vladyka John thanked everyone for participating in the ceremony, and noted that the Rector of the Cathedral, Mitred Protopriest Vladimir Skalon, was unable to attend due to serious illness. Vladyka John thanked the choir director and the organizers of the luncheon, the Kazakov family. He also welcomed the Ministry representative in English. Metropolitan Platon thanked her also, in Spanish, as representative of the Argenitinian authorities and the people of Argentina for their attitude towards the Russian Orthodox Christian immigrants in their country.  

After abundant hors d’oeuvres, Siberian pelmeni were served, followed by the traditional cheese pascha and kulich. The meal was held in a festive mood and ended with common prayer.