His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion was born in Spirit River, Alberta, Canada on 6 January 1948 and grew up in a rural atmosphere. He was baptised Igor, but known in the family as Gregory. Gregory attended Blueberry Creek High and graduated in 1966. During his early years he worshipped at the Holy Trinity, Russian Orthodox Church near Spirit River, and in 1967 enrolled at Holy Trinity Seminary, Jordanville, USA. Upon completing his degree in theology, Gregory (Igor) entered the cloister in 1973 as a novice. He was tonsured on 2 December 1974 and given the monastic name of Hilarion. On 4 December 1975 he was ordained to the diaconate by Archbishop Averky Taushev and elevated to the priesthood by Archbishop Laurus Skurla on 17 April 1976. During this period Fr Hilarion completed a Master's Degree in Russian Literature and was editor of the Orthodox Life journal.On 10 December 1984 Fr Hilarion was consecrated Bishop of Manhattan, with responsibility for the parishes in Pennsylvania, and appointed deputy secretary of the Synod of Bishops. 1n 1995 Bishop Hilarion was created Bishop of Washington and on 20 June 1996, Archbishop of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand. After twelve years of pontifical service in the United States, Archbishop Hilarion arrived in his new See on 7 July 1996, and continues to be the ruling bishop of the Australian and New Zealand Diocese to this day. In addition to his many clerical duties Archbishop Hilarion is Chairman of the Federation of Russian Welfare Organisations in Australia. For his services to the Australian community His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion was awarded the Australian Federation Centenary Medal in 2003.
