The pilgrimage of Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, to the holy sites of Crimea continues. On Friday, July 21, His Eminence served a thanksgiving moleben in St. Vladimir Cathedral in Chersonesus.

Upon completion of the service, Metropolitan Hilarion and pilgrims from the U.S., Canada, and Australia accompanying him were invited on a tour of the National Preserve of Tauric Chersonesos ("Chersonesus Taurica"). The guests were shown the preserve’s Byzantine hall, which once served as the Church of our Lady of Korsun when the site was St. Vladimir Monastery.

The dean of the Sevastopol Deanery, Archpriest Sergius Khalyuta, then invited Metropolitan Hilarion and those with him to visit the Church of the Seven Holy Hieromartyrs of Chersonesus. Fr. Sergius spoke about the history of the church’s construction and renovation, as well as about its first rectors, who have found eternal rest buried beneath the church.

Metropolitan Hilarion sincerely thanked Fr. Sergius for his cordiality and the joy of their shared prayer. In response, Fr. Sergius thanked His Eminence and Bishop Nicholas of Salavat & Kumertau who joined him for their visit to Sevastopol, wishing them and all of the pilgrims spiritual rejoicing and God’s aid in all things. Fr. Sergius presented Metropolitan Hilarion and Bishop Nicholas a book on "The Monastery of St. Vladimir in Chersonsus."