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October
30, 2009
Atlanta,
GA: “I accepted the calling of First Hierarch as an obedience before the
Holy Church…” An interview with Metropolitan Hilarion
On Friday, October 23, the final day of the pastoral conference,
diocesan Media Office correspondent Reader Gregory Levitsky was
granted a talk with the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad,
Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, on the subject
of developments within the Eastern American Diocese, clerical spouses,
and Holy Cross Monastery.
- Your Eminence, more than a
year has passed since your election as First Hierarch of the Russian
Church Abroad and ruling bishop of the Eastern American Diocese. In
your opinion, what positive changes have taken place in the diocese in
this time?
I
accepted the calling of First Hierarch as an obedience before the Holy
Church, and in my service I rely solely on God’s help and the
prayers of our archpastors, pastors, and all Orthodox Christians for
the success and spiritual growth of our Church, and for our people to
find salvation in the bosom of the Church. I can’t speak to the
positive developments, as they are not my personal accomplishments,
but those of our flock. But I can chiefly point to the reunification
that took place in 2007, between the two parts of the one Russian
Orthodox Church.
In
place of worrisome developments, such as the tragic departure from the
bosom of the Church of that portion of our flock which did not accept
the reunification, our diasporan churches are being visited by peace,
tranquility, and fortification. This was a painful process, but I
believe that those who left us will see with time that this was the
wrong decision, and will return to the bosom of the Holy Church.
In
regards to diocesan life, I am currently the ruling bishop of two
dioceses, the Eastern American Diocese and the Diocese of Australia
and New Zealand. I am grateful to God that we now have two vicar
bishops, Their Graces George of Mayfield and Jerome of Manhattan, who
help me govern the Eastern American Diocese, from Maine in the north
to Florida and the Caribbean isles in the south. They in turn are
aided by our remarkable clergy, who work tirelessly in their parishes
and in Church life.
I
would especially like to point out that changes are currently underway
in the administration of the Eastern American Diocese. With the
election of a new Diocesan Council, the diocese has roared to life. A
new diocesan center was established and, thanks to our very energetic
secretary, Archpriest Serge Lukianov, and the other members of the
Council, many issues and problems have already been resolved.
The
administrative life of the diocese was put in order: we resolved
issues together that prior fell solely on the shoulders of the
bishops. I am very grateful to all those who have worked hard and
created the new diocesan website, where events from diocesan life are
reported almost daily.
In
regards to the remote Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, I try to
visit it several times a year. I am glad to see that Church life there
is peaceful and tranquil as well, though the protracted absence of a
hierarch is not especially good for a diocese. For this reason, we are
trying to find a vicar bishop for the future.
I
am planning on being in Australia from November 19 to January 4 to
visit parishes, including ones in New Zealand, to take part in the
youth conference there, and to be at the services and events of
several parishes marking their 50th and 60th anniversaries. I plan to
be in the United States and serve for the Nativity.
In March of this year, a meeting
of the Eastern American Diocese was held at St. Vladimir Memorial
Church, where new members of the Diocesan Council were elected and
immediately held their first session under your chairmanship. At the
meeting, the Council adopted a series of very important resolutions
regarding the diocesan administration. One of the principal
resolutions was the opening of a new diocesan center in Howell, NJ.
How would you rate the new administration’s work over the last six
months?
I
am very pleased that the administration acted energetically and
meticulously, determining our administrative shortcomings and, with
God’s help, setting everything in order. In addition, we are
planning new, specific missions, and new undertakings; working with
the youth and charitable organizations, always keeping proactive, with
an eye on the future.
Members of the Diocesan Council
often seek guidance in the experience and legacy of Archbishop Nikon (Rklitsky).
Why is the legacy of Archbishop Nikon so important for us in today’s
day?
The
ever-memorable Archbishop Nikon was an outstanding hierarch and a
candidate for First Hierarch in 1964. Diocesan life hit a high under
his guidance. He gave himself totally to his diocese, was a very
sociable, knowledgeable, and loving man. His term of service came
during a period of active growth, when Church communities were being
established by refugees from Russia.
Today
the situation is different: we must fortify parishes whose average
membership is aging, simultaneously bringing into the Church
(“churching”) new members, immigrants in recent years from Russia
and the CIS. We must also undertake missionary work here in the United
States, remembering that witnessing Orthodoxy and attracting people to
the bosom of the Church for the salvation of their souls are the
responsibility not only of the clergy, but of all Orthodox Christians.
We have three great tasks before us: fortifying the old-timers,
bringing up our youth, and attracting new believers.
Here in Atlanta, the pastoral
conference for clergy of the Eastern American Diocese and their
spouses, the first of its kind in the history of our diocese, just
completed its work. Why is the participation of the matushkas in these
conferences so important?
This
was truly a remarkable conference. The role of clerical spouses cannot
be overstated. Often quite indispensible support and fortification can
be given to a clergyman only by his matushka. She is an active
participant in parish life – she has her area of expertise and the
priest has his, but together they function very positively and
salvifically in the parish, in their family, and in contact with the
faithful. This is especially felt in small parishes, where it is not
unheard of for the matushka to sing alone on the kliros
or bake the prosphora
herself.
I
am, therefore, very pleased that at this conference the matushkas were
able to participate in seminars, have their say, and share their
experiences. It was especially nice to hear from some matushkas that,
despite experiencing some difficulties, they understood that
supporting their spouse-clergyman comprised their service to God and
the Church.
Vladyka, do you think that we should hold conferences for
matushkas alone?
I
consider these conferences most effective when clergy and matushkas
participate together. I think that we should not separate them;
problems and issues in the lives of both matushkas and clergymen are
issues of parish life. It is becoming for them to take mutual part in
discussing the best ways of accomplishing their parish goals. This is
especially true for young matushkas; it is very important for them to
learn from the experience of older matushkas and clergymen.
What would you say to those who
do not consider it important to take part in these conferences?
I
would say that they are robbing themselves of the richness of
fraternal and ecclesiastical interaction, knowledge, and experience.
All of us, hierarchs, priests, and laymen, receive a great deal of
practical knowledge of how to manage our Church life at these
conferences. I would very much like for every priest who really can
attend (I know that it is difficult for many) not to rob himself of
this fraternal intercourse and participation at the divine services,
preparation for Holy Communion, confession, joint communion, and
personal contact in general. This can be a great spiritual boost not
only for the priests, but for all of the participants. When a priest
returns thus renewed and inspired, it can’t help but benefit our
parishes.
As
regards those who express a desire not to participate or a disinterest
in diocesan life, I would say that they are sinning against the
catholicity of the Church. We cannot achieve salvation outside of the
Church, outside of communion with one another; we are saved together,
as one Church. The Lord said, “Where two or three are gathered
together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20);
these gatherings are like a professional course, necessary for any
specialist to deepen and renew his knowledge. Hierarchs, priests, and
deacons use these conferences, gatherings, and seminars to continue
their spiritual and practical education. Therefore, priests who do not
wish to participate are robbing themselves of further education and
experience. This cannot be allowed – they must participate.
Over the last ten years, the
southern portion of the diocese has grown rapidly, with many Americans
converting to Orthodoxy. Holy Cross Monastery (WV) has quickly become
the spiritual center of the South, and many receive spiritual guidance
from the brethren of the monastery. How would you classify the role of
Holy Cross Monastery in the future life of the Eastern American
Diocese?
I
am overjoyed at the growth of Orthodoxy in the South. While still the
vicar bishop of the Eastern American Diocese (1984-96), I actively
participated in life in the South, and I am happy to see the creation
of Holy Cross Monastery. The presence of a monastery in every diocese
and region is indispensible, and is very important for the spiritual
well-being of the parishes and faithful. After visiting a monastery,
taking part in prayer, conversing with the monastics, pilgrims return
home renewed, desirous of wholehearted participation in parish life.
This way, under the influence of the monasteries, parish life
flourishes. I think that this monastery will play a large role in the
spiritual development and fortification of the southern part of the
Eastern American Diocese.
What words of guidance would you
like to give to visitors of our diocesan website?
I
would like for all of our parishioners, all Orthodox Christians, who
visit our site, first and foremost, to follow the instruction of our
Savior, and seek the Kingdom of Heaven, and His righteousness, and all
these things in life shall be added unto them (Matt. 6:33). Let us be
zealous in our individual salvation, working to correct our
shortcomings through repentance, through obedience to the commandments
of Christ, and through habitation in love and peace with our
neighbors. If we do this, we will draw ourselves closer to God, and in
communion with Him we will live in Christ’s grace-filled Kingdom,
which the Lord promises to all those who love Him and fulfill His
commandments. I wish that everyone, with all their heart and soul,
accepted this with diligence. For on
this is
dependent our
future: life
eternal.
The
interview was conducted by Reader Gregory Levitsky
Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese
Atlanta, GA
October 23, 2009
Photo:
www.russianorthodoxchurch.ws
