Report about the Archpastoral Visit of Archbishop Tikhon to Argentina
On the morning of May 30 / June 12, Apodosis of Pascha, His Eminence Archbishop Tikhon of Omsk and Siberia, along Hieromonk Polykarp, Reader Iliya and Wonderworker Icon of the Mother of God "Iverskaya-Blagoukhayushchaya" arrived in the Ezeiza International Airport, Buenos Aires, Argentina. They were received by Priest Silouan Dignac, rector of the Mission in Argentina, Hieromonk Daniel (Fernandes), rector of the Skete in Brazil and a parishioner, who offered His Eminence, the traditional "bread and salt", as a sign of hospitality, and was sung the "Eis Polla Eti". They were driven to the Chapel of the Vladimir Icon in Ciudadela town. Where the Archbishop carried out the traditional entrance to the Altar through the Royal Doors.
On evening of this same Wednesday, was served the All-Night Vigil of the Great Feast of Ascension of the Lord, it was served by the rector of the Mission in Argentina, Father Silouan and Father Polycarp, and the next morning was celebrated the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of this Great Feast, His Eminence Tikhon unfortunately could not preside over the Divine Liturgy for not having his Hierarchical Vestments, since because of negligence of the airline company that brought him to Argentina, was delayed the delivery of his bags until Saturday morning. However, the mere presence of our Archbishop was a great blessing to the whole community, also in each Divine Service and Liturgy was present the Wonderworker Icon "Blagoukhayushchaya", this was a great spiritual joy for everyone who was present.
On the evening of this same Thursday, was conducted a formal clergy meeting, in the Office-Library of the Mission, where Vladyka Tikhon was informed about the recent developments in the church life in Argentina and Brazil, and other questions, and was also consulted by the local clergy on various important questions for our church in South America and in the world.
On Friday, June 1/14, Archbishop Tikhon and his commitive were invite to a tour for Tigre city, a tourist city, and navigate on the Parana River Delta.
On Saturday morning, was served a “moleben" with Akathist before the Wonderworker Icon "Blagoukhayushchaya" in the Russian School in San Isidro town, this school belongs to White Russian immigrants and their descendants in Argentina. After the "moleben", the icon was brought to the nursing home in the Leo Tolstoy Center, where the old and sick, hospitalized there, were able to venerate the Holy Icon. Later, the school authorities and students, invited the Archbishop and clergy to the trapeza. And after that, was given a brief lecture by His Eminence Tikhon and Fathers Silouan and Daniel, to listen and answer questions from students and who were interested, about the history of our Catacomb Church, and about the Icon "Blagoukhayushchaya". In the evening, in the chapel of the Mission, was served the All-Night Vigil for the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, and the next day, was celebrated the Divine Liturgy, both services were presided by His Eminence Tikhon, and the Divine Liturgy, Vladyka carried out an "Kherotesia" on Hieromonk Daniel (Fernandes) from Brazil, who had been received into our church by synodal decision one year ago, but for reasons of distance, there was been possible to complete your reception by this means. After the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Tikhon, Father Daniel and the clergy were invited by the faithful, with lunch at a restaurant.
On the Sunday afternoon, Archbishop Tikhon, and Fathers Polykarp and Silouan, brought the Holy Icon "Blagoukhayushchaya" at a hospital in Bernal town, where is hospitalized Deacon Igor Baratoff, who, for some time, is suffering from a serious illness, this clergyman is under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Agafangel (Pashkovsky). There was prayed a brief "moleben" for the Father Igor’s health. This deacon and other Orthodox persons who were there, very moved, thanked Vladyka and clergy, for this good deed.
On Monday morning, was devoted entirely to tidy and make appropriate translations for documents of the Mission and Skete in Brazil. On afternoon, Vladyka Tikhon and commitive, were invited to the Japanese Garden sightseeing in Palermo town.
On the morning Tuesday, June 5/18, in the chapel of the Mission, was serviced a "Soborvanie" (anointing of the sick) presided by His Eminence Tikhon, then the clergy and some of the faithful visited the British Cemetery in Chacarita town, to serve a "Panikhida" before the graves of the ROCOR Hierarchs, Archbishop Ioasaph (Skorodumov) and Bishop Inokenty (Petrov). On evening Vladyka, his commitive and Holy Wonderworker Icon, left Buenos Aires to Moscow.
The Visit of His Eminence Tikhon and the Holy Icon "Blagoukhayushchaya" was a great blessing and spiritual consolation for small and humble True-Orthodox community in Argentina. Glory to God for everything! Most-Holy Mother of God, save us!
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