“Today God came on earth and a man ascended to heaen”: an academic family celebrated Christmas.
Царство Твое, Христе Боже, – Царство всех веков, и владычество Твое во всяком роде и роде».
It is known that the human kind had expected the advent of Messiah, who would save it from death and establish His Kingdom, since the first day of its existence. At last 2000 years ago the King of kings and the Lord of lords came to this world. He appeared not as He was expected in His royal glory and pride. The Creator of our universe was born in a manger among cattle, straw and cold. From that very moment it became clear that His Kingdom was «not of this world”.
Being incarnated from the Holy Spirit and born as a man from the Virgin Maria, You brought the light to our world by Your coming. The Light from the Light, the Father’s Glow, You enlightened all Your ceation».
Christmas is a feast when all faithful people cheer because God came on earth and brought His Heavenly Kingdom to mortal men. Christ brought the light that had never been seen before, it was the light of God’s love.
Всё, что дышит, восхваляет Тебя, Начертание славы Отчей. Существующий и Предсуществовавший и воссиявший от Девы, помилуй нас».
The Lord shows His biggest love in the Holy Communion, when He enables us to get His Divine Body and Blood. On Christmas night all the world thanks the Saviour for His coming and the Christians gather at the divine service to reunite with the One who they love the most. This night the Kingdom, which has been brought on earth, is open for everyone.
You are Holy and the Most Holy with Your only Son and the Holy Spirit. You are Holy and the Most Holy and Your glory is majestic as You so loved the world that gave Your one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life., Свят Ты и Всесвят, и великолепна слава Твоя, Ты так возлюбил мир Твой, что отдал Сына Твоего Единородного, дабы всякий верующий в Него не погиб, но имел жизнь вечную»
On January 6 th and evening service was held by the bishop of Zvenigorod Pitirim in an academic church of the Intercession of the Theotokos. A fourth-year student Michael Chikov said a sermon in which he pointed out the importance of being kind and charitable during this festive season.
Christmas night is a feast when we cheer because God came to this world. What is more, this time is a reminder for us of being helpful and kind to each other. We should show our love to our relatives, forgive offences that burden our souls; feed the hungry and shelter the homeless. Christmas night is the time for mercy and grace, the true “Love supper” when we have to share the light and love which fulfill our hearts. можем помочь другому: проявить любовь к членам наших семей; простить людям обиды, которые гложут наше сердце; накормить тех, кому в эту ночь нечего есть; помочь обрести дом тем, кто потерялся. Рождественская ночь — это время милосердия, настоящая Вечеря Любви, когда мы должны поделиться тем светом, той любовью, которые наполняют нас в этот день.
It does not really matter where we are now. Do we stay in a luxurious mansion or in a shabby barn? The most important thing is that Christ was born and He is with us. And now we have a chance to share His light with others., где мы находимся. Стоим ли в прекрасном храме или ночуем в вертепе. Важно лишь одно — что Христос родился, что Он с нами. И что мы можем делиться Его светом с другими».
On Christmas bishop Pitirim together with ordained teachers and students hold the festive divine service in an academic church of the Intercession of the Theotokos.
At night hieromonk Varnava (Losev), Rural Dean of an academic church, read a Christmas greeting of His Holiness Patriach Kirill to all archpriests, priests, deacons, monks and parishioners of the Russian Orthodox church. In his congratulatory message Patriarch summoned everyone to remember their friends and relatives:
In holy scriptures and festive texts, we read not only about Christ the Saviour, Who came to save us, but also about those who were involved in a divine act and made this incarnation possible such as Virgin Mary, Her betrothed husband Joseph, saint forefathers. On this day let us also remember and visit our parents and friends, give them some attention, find kind words and thank them for everything they do for us. Let Good Christ Who is preliminary and in one essence with His Father, live in our hearts filled with love to God and our close ones Христос, Превечный и Непостижимый, Соприсносущный Невидимому Отцу».
After the service all teachers, students and guests were invited to the festive dinner in an academic canteen.
Background information:
The evening service in an academic church was held by the bishop of Zvenigorod Pitirim, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, together with archimandrites Venedict (Knyazev), Platon (Igumnov), Ilarion (Forkavets), Luka (Golovkov), hegumen Adrian (Pashin), hegumen Philip (Zshilyakov), Gerasim (Dyachkov), hieromonk Varnava (Losev), hegumen Meletiy (Sokolov), archpriest Sergey Zabelich, archpriest Sergey Ishkov, hieromonks Feodor (Yulaev), Appolinariy (Panin), Vyacheslav (Sorokin), Tavrion (Smykov),Kassian (Ploskiy), Varlaam (Cherep), Damian (Voronov), deacons Dimitriy Maslov, Stephan Martenyuk, hierodeacons Pavel(Polevoy), Innokentiy (Glazistov). Deacon Eugene Smolyaninov.
The divine service in an academic church was held by the bishop of Zvenigorod Pitirim, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, together with archimandrites Venedict (Knyazev), Platon (Igumnov), Ilarion (Forkavets), Luka (Golovkov), hegumens Adrian (Pashin), Gerasim (Dyachkov), hieromonk Varnava (Losev), hegumen Meletiy (Sokolov), archpriest Sergey Zabelich, hieromonks Feodor (Yulaev), Appolinariy (Panin), Vyacheslav (Sorokin), Dometian (Kurlanov), Damian (Voronov), deacons Dimitriy Maslov, Stephan Martenyuk, hierodeacons Pavel(Polevoy), Innokentiy (Glazistov). deacon Eugene Smolyaninov. (Дьячков), иеромонах Варнава (Лосев), игумен Мелетий (Соколов), протоиерей Сергий Забелич, иеромонахи Феодор (Юлаев), Вячеслав (Сорокин), Аполлинарий (Панин), Дометиан (Курланов), Дамиан (Воронов), диаконы Димитрий Маслов, Стефан Мартенюк, иеродиаконы Павел (Полевой), Иннокентий (Глазистов), диакон Евгений Смольянинов.
Two academic choirs sang at the service. The second choir was directed by Vitaliy Chuvilov and the third one under the conduct of Seraphim Moroz.
MThA Press Office
