Moscow Theological Academy started a new academic year

The first day of a new academic year is a special time for an academic family.

The first day of the new academic year is a special time for the entire academic community. This day unites everyone who studies and works at the Moscow Theological Academy in a shared celebration.

Today, teachers and students gathered at the common prayer, which preceded the start of the coming academic year, to thank the Lord and ask for His blessings.

The Divine Liturgy in the Intercession Academic Church was led by the Rector of the Academy, Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov. At the service, the Bishop was concelebrated by professors and students in priestly rank.

After the Cherubic Hymn, Bishop Kirill ordained deacon Vladimir Kuznetsov, a second-year Master’s student, into a presbyter. After the Eucharistic canon, he ordained subdeacon Sergius Konoval, a second-year Master’s student, into a deacon.

After the Liturgy, the academic community offered prayers to the Lord during a moleben (prayer service), where petitions were offered to God to grant wisdom and enlightenment of heart to everyone beginning their studies, so they may comprehend the teachings.

Following the moleben, professors and students, led by the rector, proceeded in a solemn procession to the Trinity Cathedral, where they sought a blessing for the new academic year at the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh.

The moleben to the Venerable Sergius was led by Bishop Kirill.

After the moleben, the professors and students descended to the narthex of the Trinity Cathedral, where the rector, according to tradition, sprinkled them with holy water.

Then the Rector, students and teachers gathered on the steps of a bell tower for a common photo.

After that, they proceeded to the academic necropolis to pray for the repose of the deceased mentors and honor the memory of Professor Konstantin Efimovich Skurat on his 94th anniversary.

Hieromonk Vyacheslav (Sorokin), Vice-rector for educational work, officiated the funeral lithia.

Background information:

Clergy served at the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Kirill co-served by Archimandrites Venedikt (Knyazev), Hilarion (Forkavets), Luka (Golovkov), Simeon (Tomachinsky), Archpriest Pavel Velikanov, Abbots Lazar (Gnativ), Adrian (Pashin), Hieromonk Varnava (Losev), Archpriest Sergiy Zabelich, Father Superior Melety (Sokolov), Archpriest Mikhail Vakhrushev, Priest Stefan Domuschi, Hieromonk Theodore (Yulaev), Priest Pavel (Lizgunov), Hieromonk Vyacheslav (Sorokin), Priest Andrey Lysevich, Hieromonks Cassian (Plosky), Damian (Voronov), Mikhey (Kopytov), ​​Georgy (Pimenov), Athanasius (Italo), Priest Georgy Shabalov, Hieromonks Innokenty (Glazistov) Theodosius (Makarov), Deacons Dimitri Maslov, Dimitri Serov, Nikolai Yezhikhin, Hierodeacons Filaret (Zubov), Pimen (Shein), Arseny (Salov), Innokenty (Melikhov), Zinovy ​​(Rusakov), Deacon Yevgeny Torkunov.

The liturgical hymns were performed by the 1st Academic Choir under the direction of E.V. Borovinsky and the 2nd Mixed Choir under the direction of K.A. Alekseeva.

Clergy served at prayer service to St. Sergius at the Trinity Cathedral, the Rector co-served by Archimandrite Mikhail (Borey), Hieromonk Barnabas (Losev), Abbot Melety (Sokolov), Archpriest Mikhail Vakhrushev, Hieromonks Theodore (Yulaev), Mikhey (Kopytov), ​​Georgy (Pimenov), Job (Urum), Deacon Dimitry Maslov, Hierodeacon Pimen (Shein).

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

MThA Press Office