ROCOR First Hierarch Completes Visit to Ukrainian Orthodox Church

KYIV – On May 20, 2010, ended the official visit of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, reports the website of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate.  

He was seen off at the international airport of Boryspil by Vicar of the Kyiv Metropolis Bishop Panteleimon of Vasylkiv and the head of the protocol service of the Kyiv Metropolis, archpriest Valerii Kravets of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate.  "I sincerely thank you for the reception rendered to me and the ROCA delegation, for the hospitality and attention extended in the course of our visit to Ukraine," said Metropolitan Hilarion.

On May 19 Metropolitan Hilarion and Vicar Bishop Agapit of Stuttgart visited the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary, were they were greeted by the rector of the academy and seminary, Archbishop Anthonii of Boryspil.

After a tour of the academy, Metropolitan Hilarion met with first-year students of the Kyiv Theological Seminary, during which he answered numerous students' questions concerning his activity and the life of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.  Also the metropolitan was present at some examinations at the academy and seminary.   

At the end of the visit Archbishop Anthonii thanked Metropolitan Hilarion for visiting the theological schools and handed him some publications by the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary as a souvenir.