Notes from the Road: Day Three - 01/15/09

Wednesday, January 15, 2009



His Grace, Bishop Tikhon, together with the members of the Holy Synod
and the other members of the delegation made a courtesy visit to His
Eminence, Metropolitan ANTONIO (Chedraoui) Archbishop of Mexico,
Venezuela, Central America and the Carribeans for the Antiochian
Church. The main purpose of the visit was to offer His Eminence
greetings on the occasion of the celebration of his name day (St
Anthony the Great). Also present was Metropolitan DAMASKINOS of the
Antiochian Archdiocese of Brazil. A pleasant conversation was engaged
in at a brief reception at the Metropolitan's residence.

Following lunch at a local restaurant, the delegation toured the
National Cathedral of Mexico. The following is a brief description of
the Cathedral: The massive baroque National Cathedral in Mexico City
was begun in 1573 and completed in 1675. It is located in the center
of the city, which has historically been known as the Zócalo, or Plaza
of the Constitution. The plaza is built on the site of the central
square of the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlán.

Upon returning to the hotel, the Holy Synod met in session for three
hours, from 6:30 until 9:30 pm, before retiring for the evening.