HIS GRACE BISHOP MITROPHAN OF EASTERN AMERICA IN A CANONICAL VISIT TO THE PARISH IN ARGENTINA
South America – His Grace Bishop Mitrophan arrived on Wednesday, November 30, 2007 at the Pistarini International Airport in Buenos Aires. On the following day His Grace visited Venado Tuerto where many of our people live.
The newly built church here is dedicated to St. Archangel Michael, where His Grace, the bishop, was formally welcomed. Taking part in the reception was His Grace Bishop Siluan of the Antiochian Orthodox Church.
The Holy Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in Venado Tuerto was officiated by Bishop Mitrophan, assisted by the local clergy Fr. Slavisa Lekic, a priest of the Anthiochian Diocese and Deacon Nikola Radisa. Bishop Siluan served a parastos service following the liturgy for all deceased parishioners and blessed the memorial plaque with the names of all donators and benefactors of this church. A meal followed. Around two hundred people, besides children, were present that day.
On Saturday, November 24 St. King Stefan of Dechani was celebrated in San Antonio de Areco in the province of Cordoba, Argentina. The celebration was made all the more solemn with the presence of His Grace Bishop Mitrophan and His Excellency Vicente Guerrero Bozovic, the Consulate of the Republic of Serbia, with his wife. His Grace visited with a number of families during his stay.
We thank all those who came on this beautiful spring day to celebrate the Holy King and our small community, as living witnesses of the fact that where there is love and good will among people no differences are insurmountable. There were about fifty of us from ten different countries of all ages and speaking at least four different languages. Despite this we were able to beautifully understand one another and celebrate together.
It will be difficult to repeat this unforgettable occasion but we will try to do this next year on the Feast of St. Stephen, God willing.
On Sunday, November 25, the 26th after Pentecost, on the feast of St. John the Merciful the Holy Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Buenos Aires. His Grace Bishop Mirophan officiated at the liturgy, assisted by Fr. Slavisa Lekic and Deacon Nikola Radis. At the Divine Liturgy His Grace elevated Fr. Slavic to the rank of Protojerej for his exemplary pastoral work and family life. In addition, Deacon Nikola was elevated to the rank of Protodeacon. A meal was served following the service in the church hall.
On November 28th His Grace visited His Excellency Dr. Kardosa Camille, the Minister of Religion and Secretary of Religious Affairs in the Republic of Argentina.
His Grace thanked the Minister for his time in receiving him. During the conversation Dr. Cardosa expressed his interest in the health of His Holiness Patriarch Pavle after which they touched on different items in the life of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Dr. Cardosa recalled the recent visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Amphilohije and his conversation with him. Likewise, he recalled his conversation with the Ecumenical metropolitan in Argentina, Tarasius.
Bishop Mitrophan added that the Serbian Orthodox Church wishes to establish good relations with all people that live in Argentina, since it is only in this manner that they will be able to contribute to the good of all people and citizens of this country. However, here we have to be careful of the church structure, which is to say, who is a canonical bishop and who is not!
Finally, the Minister thanked Bishop Mitrophan for his visit and the concern he continues to show to his people, so far from their homeland. Likewise, he asked the bishop to send his regards to His Eminence Metropolitan Amphilohije as well as Patriarch Pavle, express to them that they should, together with the bishop, organize lectures in Argentina in an effort to expose the Serbian Orthodox Church to the world!