Patriarch Kirill sends a priest to Paraguay capital for its only Orthodox church

Source: Interfax-Religion

November 2, 2016

Photo: http://www.synod.com/ Photo: http://www.synod.com/
A priest from Russia, Hieromonk Pavel (Zhuravlev) has arrived to his place of ministry - the only Orthodox church in Asuncion.

He was sent by the decision of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to give pastoral care to the community of the Protection Church, the press service of the Synodal Department for Church, Society and Media Relations reports.

The priest celebrated a liturgy there and talked to the members of the parochial community.

Russian emigrants set up a parish of the South-American Diocese of the Russian Church Abroad in 1924 with the help of Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky) and the local Orthodox community, which consisted of Arabs and Serbs. The number of parishioners started reducing from the 1960s, and regular divine services were ceased, resuming only in 2012.

This February Patriarch Kirill, at his meeting with descendants of Russian emigrants in the Paraguay capital, promised to send a priest there.

"I rejoice to hear that the only thing you want is to have a priest here and it absolutely redeems your guilt of not mastering the Russian language. I bow you to you for this. We will try to make your wish come true," he said at that time.

Interfax-Religion

11/2/2016

See also
Patriarch Kirill honors memory of Russian volunteers who fell in Chaco War and meets with compatriots in Asuncion Patriarch Kirill honors memory of Russian volunteers who fell in Chaco War and meets with compatriots in Asuncion Patriarch Kirill honors memory of Russian volunteers who fell in Chaco War and meets with compatriots in Asuncion Patriarch Kirill honors memory of Russian volunteers who fell in Chaco War and meets with compatriots in Asuncion
"It is amazing how foreigners who came to Paraguay became aware of their personal responsibility for the fate of this country; so much so that they were ready to give their lives for the interests of the state which gave them refuge. It is difficult to imagine, especially in our pragmatic age, that people can do so. These Russian officers were not mercenaries. They did not receive much money for their participation in the war. They shared all the hardships with Paraguayan officers and soldiers and did much to bring victory closer."
Primate of Russian Church celebrates Liturgy at the Church of Protecting Veil of the Mother of God in Asuncion Primate of Russian Church celebrates Liturgy at the Church of Protecting Veil of the Mother of God in Asuncion Primate of Russian Church celebrates Liturgy at the Church of Protecting Veil of the Mother of God in Asuncion Primate of Russian Church celebrates Liturgy at the Church of Protecting Veil of the Mother of God in Asuncion
The church built in the historical centre of Paraguay’s capital by Russian immigrants in the 1920s is rather small. To enable several hierarchs to celebrate the Liturgy on the feast day of the Meeting of the Lord the altar was placed in the middle of the church, before the iconostasis, while the worshippers prayed outside.
Southern Cross Southern Cross
Priest Igor Terentiev
Southern Cross Southern Cross
Priest Igor Terentiev
In the historic center of the Republic of Paraguay, on Nuestra Seniora de la Asuncion Street (Dormition of the Mother of God in Spanish), is the Russian Orthodox Protection of the Most-Holy Mother of God Church. The temple draws attention from passers-by with its unusual style, including modern and ancient Pskovian architecture. It was built by Russian emigres in 1927. Last year, the struggling parish celebrated the 85th anniversary of the consecration of the church.
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