ARCHPASTORAL VISIT OF BISHOP MITROPHAN TO SOUTH AMERICA
Buenos Aires, Argentina - From October 30 until November 8, 2004 His Grace Bishop Mitrophan of Eastern America visited the parishes of South America.
On the feast of St. Petar of Cetinje His Grace served the Holy Liturgy at the church of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God in Buenos Aires, where a large number of faithful gathered for the service, around their hierarch, paying close attention to the homily he delivered. Among the things he touched upon during his sermons was the importance in preserving the unity in the Serbian Orthodox Church, for without unity in the church there will be no national unity, reminding all that enemies are always from outside and we shouldn't seek them from among our own.
Accompanied by Fr. Zoran Radovic His Grace visited the capital of Chile, Santiago, from November 3-6. A number of newly arrived immigrants now residing in this city joyously welcomed their archpastor. A new parish was founded, dedicated to Holy Bishop Nikolaj of Zica, which will remain under the administration of Fr. Zoran until they receive their own full time priest.
Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Damir Solar, the honorary consul of Serbia and Montenegro in Chile, His Grace was received at the highest state levels: the presidential cabinet, the Minister of Religion as well as the Mayor of Providence, where the majority of the newly arrived Serbs reside.
Returning to Argentina, His Grace had daily services. During his stay he paid visits to His Eminence Metropolitan Tarasius of the Greek Orthodox Church as well as His Eminence Metropolitan Platon of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate).
His Grace officiated at the Divine Liturgy at St. Sava in Buenos Aires on November 7, 2004. During the luncheon the faithful joined their hierarch in singing the St. Sava hymn.
On the following day, November 8, the feast of St. Demetrius the Great Martyr, His Grace served the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God. Following Vespers on the same day the bishop had a return flight to the diocesan headquarters.
Fr. Zoran Radovic
Parish Priest in Buenos Aires