Hierarch of the Hellenic Church Metropolitan Nektarios made a pilgrimage to the holy shrines of Russia

Metropolitan Nektarios of Kerkyre, Paxia and the Diapontine Islands, a high-ranking hierarch of the Hellenic Orthodox Church, led a delegation of Greek clergy on a pilgrimage visit to holy places in Russia. During the trip, which covered Moscow, St. Petersburg and Optina Desert, he visited significant monasteries and cathedrals. Metropolitan Nektary is known for his firm stance in defense of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

According to the Orthodox Christianity website, the visit began in the capital. on October 24, the delegation arrived at the Pokrovsky Stavropegial Nunnery, where Metropolitan Nektary worshiped the relics of Blessed Matrona of Moscow. The abbess of the monastery, Abbess Theophany, gave the guests a tour of the monastery and its museum.

on October 26, the pilgrimage continued in St. Petersburg. In the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the high guest served Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga Varsonofiy at the Divine Liturgy. In his address, Vladyka Nektarius emphasized the deep historical ties between his native island of Corfu and Russia, mentioning St. Admiral Theodore Ushakov, the island’s liberator, and Corfu native John Kapodistrias, who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire. Later the pilgrims visited the chapel of St. Xenia of St. Petersburg at the Smolensk Cemetery.

The final point of the program was the famous Optina Desert, which the Greek delegation visited on October 28. Addressing the faithful after the service, Metropolitan Nectarius admitted that he had long dreamed of visiting this famous monastery and his wish had finally come true.

Recall, earlier we reported that the Greek church media criticized Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos. The reason was the disagreement between the head of the Jerusalem Church and Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople on a number of fundamental issues, including the recognition of the Ukrainian schism. Patriarch Theophilos was also reminded of the Amman Council, accusing him of excessive adherence to the Moscow Patriarchate.