The Academy prayerfully honored the Assumption of the Mother of God

Today, the Blessed Virgin, Who gave to the world True Life and Light, goes back to Her Creator in the Heavenly Kingdom. After Her departure, the Mother of God would not leave mankind and keep on her prayerful intercession to Christ giving Her help to everyone, who is in need.

On the day of Her Assumption, the Mother of God unites the entire Church. With thanksgiving and hope, Christians rush to the house of God to offer prayers in front of Her Shroud. They believe that Saint Mary as the Mother to everyone looks at them with Her divine love and care. 

The Assumption of the Mother of God makes us think about the end of our earthly lives. Would our awakening in the heavenly world be a joyful and long-awaited event?

Today, the Virgin sets an example of how it is necessary to prepare your soul for a meeting with God.

On August 27, Archimandrite Hilarion (Forkavets) officiated the All-Night Vigil at the Intercession Academic Church co-served by the academic clergy. During the service, Archimandrite Venedikt (Knyazev) served a lithia and offered up a prayer for the consecration of bread.

As the choir sang the troparia of the Burial, the Academy’s clergy solemnly brought the shroud of the Most Holy Mother of God out of the altar. They placed it on a flower-adorned analogion in the center of the church, sang special praises to the Mother of God, and performed the rite of Burial.

After the Great Doxology, the clergy, students, teachers, and parishioners processed with the shroud, singing praise to the Mother of God and glorifying Her Dormition.

On August 28, Archimandrite Venedikt (Knyazev) performed the Divine Liturgy at the Intercession Academic Church.

Before the Communion, Hegumen Lazar (Gnativ), Dean of the faculty of Church Singing Art, delivered a sermon. 

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, after the dismissal, the clergy honored the Mother of God with a hymn of praise before Her shroud.

The Bishop of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov Kirill, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, led solemn services at the Dormition Cathedral of the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra co-serviced by the brethren of the monastery.

Background information:

Clergy served at the All-Night Vigil, Archimandrite Hilarion co-served by Archimandrites Luka (Golovkov), Simeon (Tomachinsky), Abbots Lazar (Gnativ), Adrian (Pashin), Hieromonk Barnabas (Losev), Abbot Meletius (Sokolov), Hieromonks Kirill (Sorokin), Kassian (Plosky), Priest Valery Dukhanin, Hieromonks Damian (Voronov), Mikhey (Kopytov), ​​Georgy (Pimenov), Serapion (Zalesny), Deacons Dimitri Maslov, Miodrag Radovanovich, Hierodeacons Pimen (Shein), Anthony (Streblyachenko), Arseniy (Salov). 

Clergy served at the Divine Liturgy, Archimandrite Venedikt co-served by Archimandrites Hilarion (Forkavets), Luka (Golovkov), Simeon (Tomachinsky), Abbots Lazar (Gnativ), Adrian (Pashin), Hieromonk Barnabas (Losev), Abbot Melety (Sokolov), Hieromonks Kirill (Sorokin), Cassian (Flat), Priest Valery Dukhanin, Hieromonks Damian (Voronov), Mikhey (Kopytov), ​​Georgy (Pimenov), Serapion (Zalesny), Deacons Dimitry Maslov, Miodrag Radovanovich, Hierodeacons Pimen (Shein), Anthony (Streblyachenko), Arseny (Salov).

MThA Press Office