On Wednesday, October 31st, Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev was awarded an honorary doctorate in sacred theology for his work in building inter-church relations between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. He is presently the Metropolitan of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department of External Church Relations and a permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Moscow.

His Eminence, Archbishop Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania congratulated Metropolitan Hilarion as they met to discuss various issues relating to the life of the Orthodox Church in America.

This event was a part of the Year of Faith celebrations at Villanova University with an exhibit of sacred icons, vestments, chalices, Gospel books and other liturgical items of the Eastern Orthodox Churches.

The Orthodox Icon Exhibit, “Icon: The Way to the Kingdom,” will be open from Friday, October 26 until Sunday, December 16, 2012 in the Art Gallery in Connelly Center at Villanova University.