Epiphany Eve at the Academy

Before the great feasts of Christmas and Epiphany, the Holy Church established days of special fasting. “Sochelnik” in Russian tradition called after sweet wheat syrup, which is cooked on this day.

All the hymns of the Epiphany Eve tell about the feast during which we glorify the appearance of the Holy Trinity. The Glorious Baptism of Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan river was done by John the Baptist and marked by the Voice of God the Father and the appearance of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove.

Возвращашеся иногда Иордан река милотию Елисеевою, вознесшуся Илии, и разделяхуся воды сюду и сюду и бысть ему сух путь, иже мокрый, во образ воистинну Крещения, имже мы текущее жития преходим шествие: Христос явися во Иордане, освятити воды».

On January 17, Priest Oleg Lemeshev officed Epiphany services. Hieromonk Vyacheslav (Sorokin), Vice-rector for educational work, read the 6th voice canon "Wave of the Sea".

On January 18, the clergy of the Intercession Academic Church followed the Royal Hours. After that, the Rector Bishop of Zvenigorod Theodorite, officed the Great Vespers with the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.

During Great Vespers, the parishioners heard the reading of thirteen passages from the Old Testament illustrating the power of God's grace performed through water.

After reading the Holy Gospel, Bishop Theodorite addressed an assembly with an archpastoral word.

Before taking out the Holy Chalice, Hieromonk Thaddeus (Pryadun) delivered a sermon.

At the end of the Liturgy, Bishop Theodorite and the clergy of the Intercession Church performed the Great Consecration of water.

The services ended with singing the troparion and kontakion of the Epiphany.

After the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Theodorite sprinkled holy water on the premises of the Academy.

Background information:

Chanting performed by a female choir under the conduct of a third-year Chorister student Daria Belokrylova and a female choir led by Ksenia Tarelkina.

MThA Press Office

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