“Rejoice, Reverend Sergius, a heavenly man and an earthly angel”. The Academy honored the memory of St. Sergius of Radonezh

Today, the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra and the Moscow Theological Academy are joyfully celebrating the memory of St. Sergius of Radonezh.

Many guests from all over the world both clergy and laity arrive at the Lavra to take part in the festive events. They alike heavenly birds seen by St. Sergius in his mysterious vision.

Memory day of St. Sergius is a special celebration at the Moscow Theological Academy as well. The academic family reveres the saint as its heavenly patron and a wise loving father who cares about theological schools and the academic family.

On St. Sergius’ day, teachers, students and graduated of the Academy gather to sing a glorification and express their deep gratitude to the Creator and Abba Sergius.

On July 17, teachers, students, staff and guests of the Moscow Theological Academy performed an Akathist to St. Sergius at the academic home churches.

Archimandrite Hilarion (Forkavets) led the akathist at the Intercession Academic Church, while Archimandrite Michael (Borey) headed the one at the seminarian church of St. John the Climacus.

In the evening, Archimandrite Hilarion officiated an All-night vigil and performed the festive lithia at the Intercession Academic Church. Archimandrite Michael officiated at the seminarian Church of St. John the Climacus co-served by the academic clergy and guests of the Academy in priesthood.

Before the Kathisma, Deacon Evgeny Torkunov delivered a sermon at the Intercession Academic Church.

Before the polyeleos, Maxim Terebun delivered a sermon in the seminarian church.

On July 18, the Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl Veniamin, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Intercession Academic Church co-served the Metropolitan of Novgorod and Staroruss Lev, the Metropolitan of Yaroslavl and Rostov Vadim, Metropolitan Seraphim (Zaliznitsky), the Metropolitan of Tver and Kashin Ambrose, the Metropolitan of Kemerovo and Prokopievsk Aristarkh, the Bishop of Narva and Prichudsk Lazar, the Bishop of Skopin and Shatsk Pitirim, the Bishop of Pinsk and Luninets George, Vicar of the Tallinn Diocese, the Bishop of Maardu Sergius, Vicar of the Tula Diocese, Bishop of Venev Theodorite, the Bishop of Kostomuksha and Kemsk Boris, the Bishop of Syzran and Shigonsk Leonty, the Bishop of Balakovo and Nicholas Bartholomew and the academic clergy. 

The Metropolitan of Volokolamsk Anthony, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. John the Climacus co-served by the Archbishop of Ruza Tikhon, the Bishop of Sourozh Matthew, the Bishop of Vienna and Austria Alexy, the Bishop of Argentina and South America Leonid.

Oleg Shabalin, a Master’s graduate, delivered a sermon at the Intercession Academic Church. Hierodeacon Anthony (Streblyachenko) delivered a sermon at the seminarian church of St. John the Climacus.

At the end of the service, the academic clergy sang the glorification to St. Sergius of Radonezh in front of his icon.

Then, the bishops joined Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill at the Cathedral Square of the Holy Trinity- St. Sergius Lavra for a prayer service.

Background information:

Chanting at the Intercession Academic Church performed under the direction of a third-year undergraduate student Ivan Bondaruk. 

Chanting at the church of St. John the Climacus performed by the first mixed choir under the conduct of S.P. Borovinskaya and the second mixed choir led by K.A. Alekseeva. 

MThA Press Office