« Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh made an archpastoral visit to Ireland »
17-10-2010 
On Saturday 16th October, Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh celebrated the first hierarchal Divine Liturgy at St Nicholas Parish of the Diocese of Sourozh in Galway. In his archpastoral address Vladyka called on the Russian compatriots to develop the church life in the Western part of Ireland.
On 16th October afternoon, a meeting of the representatives of the Irish parishes of the Diocese of Sourozh took place at the Patriarchal Metochion of St Peter and St Paul in Dublin. It was decided to establish two new parishes in Ireland: in Athlone and in Drogheda (Leinster). It was also decided to establish four deaneries corresponding to the boundaries of the four Irish provinces: Deanery of Leinster which includes the Patriarchal Metochion of St Peter and St Paul in Dublin, the joint community of St Colman of Oughaval of the Diocese of Sourozh and Russian Orthodox Church Abroad in Stradbally and the parishes in formation in Drogheda and in Athlone; Deanery of Munster including the Parish of the Holy Trinity in Cork and the Parish of St Patrick of Ireland in Waterford; Deanery of Connacht including St Nicholas in Galway; the Deanery of Ulster which includes the Parish of St Finnian of Clonard in Belfast.
On Saturday evening, Archbishop Elisey celebrated the Vigil at the Patriarchal Metochion in Dublin. During the service Vladyka tonsured Grigory Oborochanu as a reader.
After the service, Archbishop Elisey met the Parish Council of the Dublin Parish. Issues concerning the administration of the Patriarchal Metochion were discussed at the meeting.
On Sunday 17th October, Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Dublin. Vladyka greeted the clergy and faithful and conveyed to them the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.