Conference of Russian Orthodox Hierarchs Abroad Held in London

A conference of Russian Orthodox hierarchs serving outside the canonical territory of the Moscow Patriarchate involving diocesan and auxiliary hierarchs of both dioceses directly under the Patriarchate and under the autonomous Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) as well as Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Volokolamsk has been held in London, England. Hierarchs representing dioceses in North America, Oceania, and Western Europe were present for the conference.

In addition to concelebrating together the gathered hierarchs discussed issues relating to joint pastoral work between the various dioceses (previously separated by the split between the Russian Orthodox Church in the USSR and the ROCOR), 'internal missionary work' relating to the Belorussian/Russian/Ukrainian Diasporas, 'external' missionary work amongst the non-Orthodox peoples of the West, differences in liturgical practice, and variations in how converts are received into the Russian Orthodox Church outside the former USSR.

A summary of the conference, which also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the organization of the patriarchal Russian Orthodox diocese in the United Kingdom, can be found here.

Metropolitan Hilarion Meets with Prince Philip

Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Volokolamsk has met with Prince Philip, royal consort of Queen Elizabeth II, during a brief visit to London. Metropolitan Hilarion greeted Prince Philip with his upcoming 90th birthday and gave him an icon of St. Elizabeth the New Martyr, to whom the House of Windsor is related by blood and with whom Prince Philip shared the Orthodox Faith prior to his conversion to Anglicanism to marry the future Queen Elizabeth. More (in Russian) here.

Free Greek School to Open in North London

Plans have been announced for the organization of a free Greek Orthodox school for north London's Greek community. More here.

Metropolitan Hilarion Visits Cathedral of Sourozh Diocese

As part of his visit to the UK Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Volokolamsk visited the Cathedral of the Dormition in London, which serves as the seat of the patriarchal Russian Orthodox diocese of the British Isles. During the visit he met with Archbishops Elisha (Ganaba) of Sourozh and Anatoliy (Kuznetsov) of Kerch as well as clergy and faithful of the cathedral parish. More here.

Metropolitan Hilarion Arrives in London

Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) has ended his visit to the Church of Greece and left for London to present the English-language version of a newly published book by Patriarch Kirill (Gundyayev) of Moscow, "Freedom and Responsibility," at the London Book Fair. More here.

Moldovan Orthodox Parish in London

Efforts are underway to establish a Romanian-speaking parish in London under the Diocese of Sourozh for immigrants from Moldova. More here.

Greece Seeks Returns of London Icons

Greece is seeking to block the auction in London of six 300-year old icons it claims were recently stolen from Greek Orthodox monasteries in southern Epirus (a region in northwestern Greece). More here.