Metropolitan Hilarion Kapral of New York and Eastern America [1948- ], First Hierarch and Primate of the ROCOR. This photo proves that Vladyki Hilarion possesses gravitas in abundance.
Note: My thanks to Michael, who alerted me to the new photos on the ROCOR site. My readers humble me. Thank you!
The new Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), Metropolitan Hilarion of New York and Eastern America was installed in a ceremony in New York. He was elected at the Bishops’ Council meeting on 12 May. Archbishop Hilarion is quite well-known amongst Russians outside of Russia, and he is recognised in Russia as well. The previous Primate of the ROCOR, Metropolitan Laurus of New York and Eastern America, nominated him in 2001 to be Primate. However, the Bishops’ Council of the ROCOR elected Metropolitan Laurus, who opened a new page in the history of Russian Orthodoxy. Metropolitan Laurus was the initiator of the negotiations that overcame a split between the Moscow Patriarchate and the ROCOR that lasted for over 80 years.
“Archbishop Hilarion is a worthy successor to Metropolitan Laurus, who passed away in March”, said Archpriest Serafim Gan. “I am quite confident that Metropolitan Hilarion will continue his policy and do his best to preserve and strengthen the unity of the two Churches. He is eager to share with Russia and the Russian people the spirit and legacy of the ROCOR, which preserved the heart of Russia abroad”.
For the first time, the Primate-elect of the ROCOR was confirmed by Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow and all Russia and the Holy Synod of the MP. Leaders of the Church expressed their hope that unity between the two branches of the Russian Orthodox Churches shall strengthen to the point that Russians, regardless of where they live, shall feel their unity, the unity of a Great People.
18 May 2008
Aleksei Dyakonov
Voice of Russia World Service
http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=27160&cid=59&p=18.05.2008 (in English)
