With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan John of Dubna, His Grace Bishop Symeon of Domodedovo made a pastoral visit to Northern Italy from 1 to 4 May.
On Thursday, 1 May, Bishop Symeon was welcomed at Milan Malpensa Airport by the Dean of the Orthodox parishes in Italy, the Reverend Father Hegumen Victor Cretu. He then went to the Orthodox Monastery of Christ Pantocrator in Arona, where he prayed in the church, greeted the faithful present and spent time with the monastic community in a spirit of openness and spiritual joy.
On Friday, 2 May, the bishop visited the monks of the Skete of the Archangel Michael, as well as the sisters of the Skete of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, offering his support and encouragement to the local monastic life.
On Saturday, 3 May, Bishop Symeon went to the Monastery of the Visitation in Como, where he was welcomed by the Mother Superior, Mother Maria Elisabetta Mode. He then held a lengthy conversation with all the nuns, during which questions concerning monastic life and ecumenical dialogue between religious communities were discussed in a fraternal spirit. The bishop warmly thanked the sisters for the help and support they offer to the monastic community of Arona.
In the afternoon, at 4:00 p.m., Bishop Symeon went to the church of San Giuseppe in Como, where the Orthodox Community of St Donatus gathers, which was celebrating its tenth anniversary on 4 May. At the church door, he was welcomed by the rector of the community, the Reverend Archimandrite Hristofor Bordian, by the priest Dimitri Pauliukevich, and by the representative of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, the Reverend Brother Lorenzo.
We recall with gratitude that the church of San Giuseppe is graciously placed at the disposal of our community by the Capuchin Friars of the parish. After the celebration of Vespers, a moleben of thanksgiving was led by the bishop. At the end of the service, Bishop Symeon offered his congratulations to the community for its ten years of fruitful mission, personally thanking the founders and the faithful present. The day concluded with a fraternal meal prepared by the members of the community.
On Sunday, 4 May, the bishop presided at the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of Christ Pantocrator in Arona, surrounded by the monastic clergy and a large number of faithful. During the celebration, he conferred the orders of Reader and Subdeacon, and ordained the Reverend Viktor Brovushkin deacon for the liturgical needs of the Monastery.
PHOTOS: https://pantocratore.
At the end of the Liturgy, Father Hegumen Victor expressed his deep gratitude to Bishop Symeon for his visit and for the support he continually offers to the young monastic community. The day ended in joy with a fraternal meal offered by the monastic community and the faithful.
Hieromonk Victor Cretu