Maloyaroslavets, Kaluga Province, Russia, April 30, 2026
Photo: monasterium.ru
A delegation of monks and clergy from the Limassol Metropolis of the Church of Cyprus visited the Russian Orthodox Church’s St. Nicholas-Chernoostrovsky Convent in Maloyaroslavets, Kaluga Province, on April 28, as part of their visit to Russia.
The delegation was led by Protosygellos Schema-Archimandrite Isaac (Macheriotis) and included abbots and brothers from several Cypriot monasteries, including the Monastery of the Honorable Forerunner in Mesa Potamos, the St. George Monastery of Christ of Symvoulas, the Archangel Michael Monastery in Monagri, and Macheras Monastery, reports the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for Monasteries and Monasticism.
Photo: monasterium.ru
The visit continues a spiritual connection that began more than 25 years ago when the late Schema-Archimandrite Arsenios, abbot of Macheras Monastery, first visited the Russian monastery. He was moved by its charitable work with orphaned children and invited Abbess Nikolaya (Ilyina) and the monastery’s sisters to visit Cyprus and study Byzantine chanting, embroidery, and monastic practices in the traditions of Mount Athos.
The current visit comes with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol, a spiritual child of Elder Joseph of Vatopedi and spiritual grandson of St. Joseph the Hesychast.
Photo: monasterium.ru
The Cypriot guests were welcomed by Abbess Nikolaya with sisters and students from the Otrada boarding school, as well as abbesses and sisters from monasteries across the Kaluga Metropolis. A dinner and concert featuring Greek spiritual songs and dances was organized, followed by a monastic conference dedicated to the spiritual heritage of St. Joseph the Hesychast.
Schema-Archimandrite Gennadios, abbot of the Archangel Michael Monastery in Monagri, who spent 20 years at Vatopedi Monastery, shared memories of Elder Joseph of Vatopedi, particularly his unshakeable faith. Following the conference, the delegation toured a local interactive museum before departing for Moscow to continue their program.
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