On May 12, Archbishop Hilarion (Kapral) was elected the sixth First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

The enthronement of the newly-elected First Hierarch took place on May 18.

Many people see in Metropolitan Hilarion’s words and actions the spirit of the late Metropolitan Laurus.  This is evident in his attitude towards the Church, to both its joys and its woes.

In making its choice, the ROCOR Council of Bishops demonstrated that the movement toward unity of the Russian Orthodox Church was continuing. 

All indications are that the new First Hierarch will continue the work of strengthening Orthodox Church unity.

The following is a biography of our new First Hierarch:

 Metropolitan Hilarion’s parents – his father Alexei Kapral, and his mother, Euphrosynia (nee Kasyaniuk) – were from the village of Obenizha in Volyhn , Ukraine .  In 1929, during the Polish occupation, the local populace was persecuted and oppressed by Poles attempting to turn Western Ukraine into a Polish province.  Thus, the 19-year-old Alexei and his young wife decided to emigrate to Canada .  At the time, the Canadian government afforded immigrants the opportunity to obtain large tracts of land in Western Canada ; it was there that the young family settled.  Upon their arrival in the province of Alberta , the Kapral family received 160 acres of untilled land, as well as $100 in cash, a hammer, and an axe, with which to build themselves a home.  In the developing Spirit River region, there were some 200 Ukrainians, and in view of the oncoming cold, they quickly built themselves houses.  The great economic crisis of 1929-1930 affected the settlers as well, making an already hard life even more difficult.  To find work, Alexei Kapral had to travel far from home, and he earned but 25 cents per day.  Nonetheless, the family grew ever larger – five boys and two girls filled the house with children’s voices, speaking Ukrainian at home.  Their parents also spoke Russian and Polish.

The youngest member of the family was Igor, the future Metropolitan Hilarion.  He was born on January 6, 1948, in Spirit River , and spent his childhood in the country.  He had to walk over 3 miles to school every day.  Later he transferred to another school in Blueberry Creek, but returned to finish high school.  In 1966, he found a spiritual director, Right Reverend Sava (Saracevic), Bishop of Edmonton, a Serb who greatly revered our Holy Hierarch St. John (Maximovitch, +1966).

From his youth, Igor felt drawn to the Church, and loved to read books and periodicals on religion and morals.  In 1967, when Igor Kapral was 19 years old, he entered the Holy Trinity Theological Seminary in Jordanville , NY , USA .  On graduating from the Seminary in 1972 (together with our rector, Fr. Victor – ed.), Igor entered the Holy Trinity Monastery as a novice [lit.: poslushnik, one under obedience].  On December 2, 1974 he was tonsured a rassaphore monk with the name Hilarion, in honor of Venerable Schema-monk Hilarion of the Kiev Caves , the famous Metropolitan of Kiev.  On December 4, 1975, Archbishop Averky (Taushev, +1976), for whom the future Vladyka served as a cell-attendant, ordained him a hierodeacon.  In 1976, Bishop Laurus of Manhattan ordained him a hieromonk.  The same year, Fr. Hilarion received a Master’s degree in Slavic studies and Russian literature from Syracuse University .  The future Vladyka worked simultaneously as editor of the English-language version of the magazine Orthodox Life, and as a typesetter for the Monastery press.

On December 10, 1984, His Eminence the Most Reverend Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky +1985), assisted by nine hierarchs, consecrated Hieromonk Hilarion Bishop of Manhattan .  As bishop of Manhattan , Vladyka was responsible for the parishes in the State of Pennsylvania .  The Council of Bishops also chose him to be Deputy Secretary to the Synod of Bishops.  Ten years later, thanks to Bishop Hilarion’s efforts, the number of parishes in the Eastern American Diocese had grown to 64.  Visiting parish after parish, Vladyka gained the love and respect of those whom he encountered.  Holding a position of considerable responsibility in the headquarters of the administration of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Vladyka was also an active participant in the most important events in its history.  In 1995, Bishop Hilarion was given the title Bishop of Washington, but with his seat in New York .  However, because of difficulties that had arisen in the Australian Diocese following the retirement of Archbishop Paul (Pavlov), and because Vladyka Hilarion possessed exceptional pastoral qualities, on June 20, 1996, he was assigned to the cathedra of Sydney , Australia , and New Zealand , and elevated to the rank of Archbishop.

Eis polla eti Despota!