Australian and New Zealand Diocese (ROCOR)

Day 3, 6 February 2008

On Wednesday morning Vladyka Hilarion, Fr Michael, Fr Alexei and Roberto Leon visited the senior clergyman of the Chilean diocese – Archimandrite Benjamin (Wosniuk). No one knew how the meeting with Fr Benjamin would proceed, since even prior to the signing of the Act of Canonical Communion (in May of 2007) he had ceased commemorating his lawful Church hierarchy. However, Fr Benjamin received the archbishop and those accompanying him in a courteous and friendly manner. He spoke with the archbishop and Fr Michael regarding his stance on the question of Church unity. He conveyed his misgivings concerning the present Church situation and cited many examples from history which, in his opinion, support his point of view. Mother Abbess Juliana arrived during the conversation and attentively listened to all that Fr Benjamin, Vladyka and Fr Michael said. Despite the fact that no consensus was reached on the question of the restoration of ecclesiastical unity and both Fr Benjamin and Mother Juliana remain with their previous opinion, both of them parted with the archbishop and those with him on a friendly note. Any further decision concerning their personal relationship to what has transpired depends fully on whether they wish to accept that the conciliar decision of the entire Russian Orthodox Church was in accordance with God’s will and subject themselves to their lawful Church authorities.

Vladyka and Fr Michael then proceeded to visit and pay their respects to the Antiochian Metropolitan Sergius, the only Orthodox bishop in Chile. With the assistance of an interpreter, the youngest member of the staff of the Russian embassy in Chile named Denis, both hierarchs were able to converse with each other on various topics. On parting both bishops exchanged gifts.

Father Alexei then drove Vladyka Hilarion and Fr Michael to the home of Dr Elizabeth Jurlow for lunch Chilean style. Along the way, they were joined by an Antiochian Orthodox priest of Chilean origin, Fr P. Santiago. On the way to the home of Dr Jurlow the group stopped to view the Holy Trinity-Kazan Church. The rector of this church is the above-named Archimandrite Benjamin, who at the present time refuses to commemorate the bishops of the Russian Church Abroad. The church is built in a beautiful Pskov style and is well looked after. There is a large hall next to the church.

After lunch Vladyka and Fr Michael returned home to rest and prepare for their trip next day to Concepcion.

Day 4, 7 February 2008

Early in morning Vladyka Hilarion and Fr Michael flew to the city of Concepcion, located some 300 miles south of Santiago. They were met at the airport by Fr Alexei and a group of Orthodox Arabs and taken to accommodations at the El Dorado Hotel, owned by an Orthodox Arab by the name of Edouardo Samoor. According to the schedule, the first meeting was with the city mayor (the alcaldesa), Jaqueline Van Rysselberghe, who expressed interest in the mission of the ROCOR delegation, the situation of Russians in the city and the Orthodox faith in general. Following lunch at the home of Fr Alexei and his family, the delegates met with the administration of a local university, which is affiliated with the Valle Central University in Santiago where Fr Alexei teaches. During this meeting the Reader Dionisiy Lvov, a graduate of Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary, arrived from the US as the third member of the delegation. Reader Dionisiy became acquainted with Vladyka Hilarion during the previous year and the archbishop invited him to take part in the pastoral visit to South America. During the conversation with the Rector of the Valle Central University, Eduardo Aedo Inostroza, the question was raised about the possibility of establishing a branch of the university in Australia. He asked Fr Michael to research this question and report back the results.

That evening in honour of the guests a marvellous Arabic-style supper was given during which the host entertained all present with his beautiful singing. He asked the guests to sing several Russian songs and they gladly fulfilled his request. Everyone present was filled joy. On the following day the delegates were told that, following their departure, everyone who remained made an earnest decision to help Fr Alexei in the building of the first Orthodox church in Concepcion.

Day 5, 8 February 2008

In the morning the guests were joined a group of Orthodox Arabs for breakfast who told them of the joy and happiness they had received from the previous supper. They also revealed their plans to help Fr Alexei. Archbishop Hilarion thanked them and blessed their good intention.

At noon Archbishop Hilarion held a press conference at which journalists and reporters from the local newspaper “El Sur” and local television station were present.

At 5 o’clock that evening a meeting was held with several heterodox clergymen who were interested in Orthodoxy.

Later in the evening at the Arabic cultural centre Archbishop Hilarion, together with Fr Michael and Fr Alexei, served a panikhida commemorating all Orthodox relatives and acquaintances of those who were present.

The evening meal was served in the hotel after which the delegates for their rooms to rest.

AMB