The Academy prayerfully glorified St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

The Magi are on their journey and we are waiting for the star, which is the sign of the Lord coming on earth. Shepherds lead their flocks and the Christians are trying to prepare their hearts for meeting with Christ. The gap dividing us from people in Bethlehem is bigger than a millennium, but the Star will shine for us too, because it is a symbol of the path of a humankind to the Lord.

Today, we celebrate the memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia. He is a world-wide known for his help to people even after ending his earthly life. St. Nicholas was brightened with divine grace that illuminated his life and made him a great wonderworker.

The saint is famous for his sacrificial service to others. The tradition of giving gifts on St. Nicholas’s day is related to his sincere and selfless mercy. Once, he secretly gave money to a broken rich man saving him from disgrace and his daughters’ good names. That fact inspires us to do good deeds and treat all people with simplicity of heart.

On December 18, the Bishop of Zvenigorod Kirill headed an All-night Vigil co-served by the academic clergy. Archimandrite Venedikt (Knyazev) performed the Litiya at the Vespers.

After the Kathismas, Stepan Sumin, a fourth-year undergraduate student, delivered a sermon: 

We don't have to always ask for help. We should also give our help. St. Nicholas is such an example of a man, who is quick to help others.

On December 19, Bishop Kirill, rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, celebrated the Divine Liturgy co-served by teachers and students in the priesthood.

After the Great Entrance, the Rector ordained Deacon John Kubasov, a first-year Master's student, into a presbyter.

After the Eucharistic Canon, Bishop Kirill ordained Dmitry Kuzeev, a propaedeutic Master’s student, into a deacon. 

After the Sacrament verse, Evgeny Torkunov, a fourth-year undergraduate student, delivered a sermon recalling St. Nicholas’s help in our life.

At the end of the service, Bishop Kirill, and the clergy of the Intercession Church sang a glorification before an icon of St. Nicholas. 

After that, Bishop Kirill addressed an assembly with his archpastoral word.

Background information:

Clergy served at the All-night vigil: Bishop Kirill co-served by Archimandrites Venedikt (Knyazev), Platon (Igumnov), Hilarion (Farkovets), Luka (Golovkov), Abbot Gerasim (Dyachkov), Melety (Sokolov), Hieromonk Barnabas (Losev), Archpriest Sergiy Zabelich, hieromonks Fedor (Yulaev), Cassian (Plosky), Damian (Voronov), John (Merzlyakov), Priest Vadim Vankov, Hieromonks Mikhey (Kopytov), ​​Athanasius (Italo), Priests Nikolai Cherepenin and Alexander Pochtovy, Deacons Dimitri Maslov, Nikolai Goyuk, Hierodeacon Job (Urum), deacons John Kubasov, Vladimir Kuznetsov, Nikolai Yezhikhin, Sergiy Karelsky. 

Clergy served at the Divine Liturgy: Bishop Kirill co-served by Archimandrites Venedikt (Knyazev), Platon (Igumnov), Hilarion (Farkovets), Luka (Golovkov), Simeon (Tomachinsky), Abbot Gerasim (Dyachkov), Hieromonk Barnabas (Losev), Archpriest Sergiy Zabelich, Hieromonk Cassian (Plosky), Priest Sergiy Churakov, Hieromonks John (Merzlyakov), Mikhey (Kopytov), ​​Athanasius (Italo), Priests Nikolai Cherepenin, Alexander Pochtovy and John Kubasov, Deacons Dimitri Maslov, Nikolai Goyuk, Hierodeacon Job (Urum), Deacons Nikolai Yezhikhin, Sergiy Karelsky, Dimitri Kuzeev.

Chanting performed by a mixed choir conducted by K.A. Alekseeva and a male choir led by E.V. Borovinsky. 

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