"Thy Christmas, Christ our God, becomes the light of reason to the world". Christmas festive services at the Academy

Long before the birth of Jesus Christ, the human kind was waiting for the One who would break the gates of hell and death; prophets foreshadowed the King of kings and the world was full of hope for salvation. 

"The Virgin is giving birth to the Most Substantial, and the earth brings the nativity scene to the Unapproachable: angels glorify with shepherds and the star-led Magi travel to see the new-born Child, the Eternal God"

On Christmas, everyone rejoices, because God incarnated for our sake. People received the Good news and the gates to the Kingdom of Heaven was opened for everyone.

“The Child was born, the Son given to us, His leadership is on Him and His name is eulogized by the council of Angels as Wonderful, the Counselor, Mighty God, the Sovereign, the Prince of Peace, the Father of the century to come, Who will bring peace and health" 

On Christmas, people praise the Lord for His great mercy and gather round the Eucharistic chalice.

On January 6, Archimandrite Platon (Igumnov) led the All-night vigil at the Intercession Academic Church co-served by the clergy of the academic church. 

During the evening service, Leonid Peven, a 1st-year graduate student, delivered a sermon:

When the Savior had come to the world, we were adopted and called the children of God. But what does it mean?

Thanks to Christ, we can now turn to God as Our Father saying "Abba, Father". Are there any other religions where people have such an honor?

The Lord teaches us filial trust and loyalty to God the Father. Trusting God overcomes the sense of fear and insecurity of this world. We know that the world is full of adversity, danger and temptation. All of us, both strong and weak, educated and illiterate, healthy and sick, sail in this stormy ocean frightened and helpless. However, those who trust their lives to God are above this fear. God the Father, who adopted us through Jesus Christ, confidently leads His children by the hand showing the way in this stormy life.

On the night of January 6-7, Archimandrite Platon celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the home academic church.

After reading to the sacrament verse, Hieromonk Varnava (Losev), Dean of the Intercession Academic Church, read out the Nativity Epistle of His Holiness Kirill of Moscow and All Russia Patriarch to archpastors, pastors, deacons, monastics and all the faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church. 

At the end of the Liturgy, the clergy of the academic church sang the glorification.

Background information:

Chanting performed by a male choir under the conduct of V.V. Chuvilov.