On May 16, 2025 the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad commemorated the third anniversary of the repose of the every-memorable Metropolitan Hilarion, the 6^th First Hierarch of the Church.

            In the monastery, after the noon-day meal, His Grace Bishop Luke, together with the monastery clergy, served a pannikhida at the grave of Vladyka.  Some of us remember Vladyka when he was a Hieromonk in the monastery, before his consecration to the episcopacy in 1984.  During his episcopacy as Vicar Bishop of Manhattan, Vladyka often visited the monastery, which he regarded as his spiritual home.  He received a Bachelor of Theology degree here in the seminary and stayed on as a monk, eventually as a hieromonk, when he became the spiritual father of many of the brotherhood, neighbors and pilgrims.  By all, Vladyka was highly regarded as a very kind and benevolent spiritual leader. 

            During his tenure in Australia, we saw less of Vladyka.  However, according to God’s providence, he became First Hierarch upon the repose of Metropolitan Laurus, and then once again, we saw more of Vladyka.  Despite his many duties, Vladyka often came back to his “alma mater,” thus not forgetting us and being of great help to our next abbot, Archimandrite and later Bishop Luke.

            It was with great sadness that we learned of the sudden repose of Vladyka Hilarion, but we have had the consolation of having his remains buried in our monastery cemetery, adding yet another church luminary to the host of spiritual great ones who await the Second Coming in our holy habitat.  

            We know that Vladyka’s prayers are even stronger for us now, and we pray that he continue to intercede for us before God Almighty.