The Academy celebrated Christmas

Many Christians rush on this bright and holy night to the Church of God, like those wise men and shepherds to the Bethlehem cave to bring their gifts to Christ the Child.

Today God unites all His creation in common joy and fills human souls with the Divine light. Being the King of the universe, He came to the world as a meek and defenseless Baby. Warmed on this frosty night by the breath of domestic animals, Christ awaited the warmth from us. As the Gospel say, as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me (Mat. 25:40).

In such extraordinary and incomprehensible miracle, the power of the Lord, which abolishes evil, overthrows hell and enlightens the darkness, is performed.

Let us enter the Bethlehem cave and sing festive hymns to the Lord, offer prayers, share the joy of the holiday with our neighbors and take part as faithful children at the Table of Life.

On the night of January 6-7, faculty and students of the Moscow Theological Academy greeted the Nativity of Christ in common Eucharistic prayer at the Intercession Academic Church. The festive Divine Liturgy was led by Archimandrite Venidikt (Knyazev), concelebrated by the clergy of the Academy.

Numerous guests of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra and the Academy prayed during the service.

Before the Communion, students from the countries of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa sang Christmas Carols in French and the hymn Ἁγνὴ Παρθένε in Greek.

Then, Hieromonk Varnava (Losev), Dean of the Intercession Church, read Christmas message from His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill.

After the Liturgy, Archimandrite Venidikt congratulated the participants of the service on the Feast of the Nativity of Christ and addressed them with an exhortatory word.

On the evening of January 6, on the eve of the Nativity of Christ, the clergy performed the services of Great Compline, Polyeleos Matins, and the First Hour at the Intercession Academic Church.

The festive litany after Compline was led by Archimandrite Venidikt.

Background information:

Chanting performed by the first academic choir under the conduct of E.V. Borovinsky.

MThA Press Office