The Academy celebrated Easter

The hell is devastated and its foundations had been destroyed, death was overpowered and the devil was captured as the Life crushed ancient evil forces that reigned over a man. So, rejoice with singing angels, because the Heaven is opened and the Savior of the world rescued a mankind.

Christ has risen in the dawn of a new day. He enlightens the world and our souls, warms our hearts and strengthens our bodies.

Today the divine love is revealed to the world. Death was not able to keep God in the depths of the hell. Christ brings the Heavenly Kingdom to everyone who love Him and desire to be with Him as the divine love never ceases.

At night the Moscow Theological Academy celebrates the Glorious Resurrection of Christ at its home churches.

The festive divine services were held on April 15-16 at the Intercession Academic Church and the Seminarian church of St. John the Climacus.

The Bishop of Zvenigorod Kirill, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, celebrated the Divne Liturgy at the Intercession Academic Church.

In the Church of St. John of the Ladder, the service was led by the church’s sacrist, Archimandrite Michael (Borey), also assisted by the Academy’s clergy.

The service began with the Midnight Office, during which the clergy read the Canon of Great Saturday before the Shroud of the Savior.

Before midnight, there was a solemn procession accompanied by bell chimes and singing Easter Verse:

“Your Resurrection, O Christ our Savior, the angels sing in the heavens; grant us on earth to glorify You with pure hearts.”

At midnight, the officiating clergy solemnly glorified the Holy Trinity with the festive exclamation: “Glory to the Holy, Consubstantial, Life-giving, and Undivided Trinity, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.”

Following this, all entered the churches, and the Paschal Matins began with the festive Canon of Christ’s Resurrection.

According to a tradition, at the end of the Matins, Bishop Kirill read the Easter homily of St. John Chrysostom, in which a saint summons everyone to come and enjoy the Divine Meal without exception.

In the seminary church of St. John the Climacus, Archimandrite Michael (Borey) read the Easter homily of St. John Chrysostom.

The festive Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom then began, preceded by the singing of the Paschal Hours.

According to a tradition, a passage opening the Gospel of John was read in ancient and modern languages such as ancient Greek, Latin, Syriac, Geez (ancient Ethiopian), Hebrew, Arabic, Farsi, Serbian, Romanian, Polish, Estonian, English, French, Italian, Gagauz and Chinese.

After the Sacrament verse, Hieromonk Varnavas (Losev), Dean of the Intercession Academic Church, read the Easter Epistle of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to archpastors, pastors, deacons, monastics and all faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church.

In the seminary church, the Patriarchal Epistle was read by Archimandrite Michael.

After the prayer behind the ambo, the Rector offered up a prayer to the Lord for the consecration of the Easter blessed bread.

In the Church of St. John of the Ladder, Archimandrite Michael also offered the prayer for the blessing of the artos and Paschal foods.

Background information:

Clergy served at the Easter service in the Intercession Academic Church: Bishop Kirill co-served by Archimandrites Venedikt (Knyazev), Platon (Igumnov), Hilarion (Forkavets), Luke (Golovkov), Simeon (Tomachinsky), hegumens Adrian (Pashin), Gerasim (Dyachkov), hieromonk Barnabas (Losev), Hegumens Melety (Sokolov), Cyprian (Yashchenko), Archpriest Sergiy Zabelich, Priests Dimitry Baritsky, Valery Dukhanin, Hieromonks Theodore (Yulaev), Kassian (Plosky), Mikhey (Kopytov), ​​Boris (Zelyuchenko), Deacon Dimitry Maslov, Hierodeacons Ioanniky (Padjan ), Filaret (Zubov), Innokenty (Melikhov), Anthony (Streblyachenko), Arseny (Salov) and Pimen (Shein).

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Clergy served at the Seminarian church of St. John the Climacus: Archimandrite Michael co-served by Hieromonks Filofey (Artyushin), Georgy (Pimenov), Athanasius (Italo), and Hierodeacon Theodosius (Makarov). 

Chanting at the Intercession Academic Church performed by the second academic choir under the conduct of V.V. Chuvilov and the third mixed choir led by K.A. Bukurova.

Chanting at the Seminarian church of St. John the Climacus performed by the second mixed choir under the conduct of K.A. Alekseeva.

MThA Press Office