Metropolitan Hilarion Visits OCA Chancery

During his visit to the chancery of the American Orthodox Church earlier today Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Volokolamsk met with Bishops Nikon (Liolin) of Boston, Tikhon (Mollard) of Philadelphia, Melchisedek (Pleska) of Pittsburgh, Michael (Dahulich) of New York, and Mark (Maymon) of Baltimore and senior clergy of the OCA, among them Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko.

During his visit to Syosset, Metropolitan Hilarion reaffirmed the Moscow Patriarchate's support of the OCA's autocephaly and its intention not to become involved in its internal affairs. As the Russian Orthodox Church is active in defending the autocephaly of the OCA internationally, however, Patriarch Kirill (Gundyayev) wanted firsthand information on the issues surrounding Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen).

While in Syosset Metropolitan Hilarion also reported on the recent meeting of the Inter-Orthodox Preparatory Commission in Chambesy, Switzerland. Before leaving the country Vladyka Hilarion will also be meeting with Metropolitan Jonah per the request of Patriarch Kirill. More here.