A Delegation of Monastics from the Church of India arrives in Russia

DECR Communication Service, 16.07.2025

On July 14, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, a delegation of monastics fr om the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church arrived in Russia to become acquainted with the Russian monastic tradition.

The delegation includes: Priest Ebi George, cleric of the North American Diocese of the Malankara Church; Priest Eldos Alias, dean of the Seminary in Parumala; Priest Vivek Varghese, General Secretary of the Orthodox Christian Student Movement of Mar Gregorios; Priest Antony Marvin D’Silva, dean and cleric of the Brahmavar Diocese; and Priest Aaron Joshua John, cleric of the Delhi Diocese. The delegation also includes media representatives of the Malankara Church: Don George Varghese fr om the Society for Orthodox Christian Unity and Faith (OCP Society); Jobin Baby from Malankara television channel Gregorian TV; and Ribin Raju, the Church's public relations officer. The guests are accompanied by Hieromonk Mark (Akhmathanov), a staff member of the DECR Secretariat for Inter-Christian Relations.

At the invitation of Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov, co-chairman of the Working Group for Coordinating Bilateral Relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Malankara Church, the delegation from the Church of India visited the city of Dmitrov. Their introduction to the city's landmarks began with a visit to the Borisoglebsky Monastery, wh ere they were welcomed and guided by the abbot, Igumen Avgustin (Shornikov). While visiting the Cathedral of the Dormition, the rector and dean of the Dmitrov district, Archpriest Afanasy Chornoguz, introduced the guests to the history and current state of church life in the city.

The delegation also visited the St. Nicholas-Peshnosha Monastery and the St. Alexander Nevsky Convent in the town of Taldom, wh ere they were received by the abbots: Igumen Alexy (Gorlychev) and Abbess Tamara (Goncharenko), respectively. The guests had the opportunity to engage in conversations on topics related to local monastic life.

The visit is part of an ongoing cooperation in the exchange of monastic experience, organized by the Working Group for Coordinating Bilateral Relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Malankara Church. The program also includes visits to churches and monasteries in Moscow, the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, and the Yaroslavl Metropolis.

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A Delegation of Monastics from the Church of India arrives in Russia

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons