VERTOGRAD
Orthodox Journal
Newsletter No. 26, Saturday, June 11, 2005. 11:45 P.M.
METROPOLITAN VALENTINE COMPLETES PASTORAL VISIT TO USA
(Vertograd, New York)
Metropolitan Valentine of Suzdal and Vladimir is back in Russia after a three week pastoral trip to America, having visited the grave of Bishop Gregory (Grabbe) of blessed memory and celebrating the 80th birthday of Church News editor Matushka Anastasia Shatilovna.
On May 29, in the St Nicholas Temple in New Jersey, the Divine Liturgy was performed by Metropolitan Valentine of Suzdal and Vladimir, first Hierarch of the ROAC. Present to receive were Bp Antony (Grabbe) and Fr Vladimir Shishkoff, as well as Hegumen Andrei (Maklakov). After liturgy, the Metropolitan said a moleben for the health of Matushka Anastasia (Shatilovna), who celebrated her 80th birthday.
The next day, the Metropolitan was invited by Antony Skevas, the member of the Orthodox Palestinian Society. Theological and canonical questions were asked of the Metropolitan, especially concerning his opinion of the future of the Orthodox Palestinian society.
On Sunday, June 5th, Metropolitan Valentine served the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Parish in New Jersey. On Monday, June 6th, after bidding farewell to all of the parishioners and guests, and speaking to other clergy by telephone, Vladyka boarded a plane at JFK airport for his return flight to Russia.
Contrary to false allegations on the website of former Archbishop Gregory of Colorado (that had been investigated by American clergy and finally answered by Matushka Anastasia on www.roac.tk last year) that the United States government had subpeonaed the Metropolitan on smuggling charges, the Metropolitan was not approached by law enforcement.
(C) Vertograd, 2004--2005. http://www.vertograd.blogspot.com/
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