Academy prayerfully glorified the memory of St. Sergius of Radonezh

Having ascended to the Heavenly Kingdom, St. Sergius invites all the faithful prayerfully join him in his joy seeing the Lord. 

God, as a loving Father, is waiting for the return of all people to the Heavenly Fatherland. He showed St. Sergius as His co-worker and a guide, as the Reverend shared the divine Light with everyone who came to the church and partook of the spiritual celebration.

On the day of his triumph, St. Sergius calls out: “Come to me, child, and rejoice in our Risen Lord, say a prayer to Him with me and accept His light, so that you can enlighten the darkness of your life and illuminate the path to Home.”

On the 8th of October, the entire Church prayerfully honors the memory of St. Sergius of Radonezh. For the Holy Trinity St. Sergius’ Lavra and the Moscow Theological Academy, it is a special day, because the Reverend became a real father and a mentor both for the brethren of the monastery and for students of the Academy. 

Today, festive services took place in two home churches of the Moscow Theological Academy. They were officiated by bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church.

According to the tradition, the liturgical celebrations began with an Akathist to St. Sergius, which was performed on October 7. Archimandrite Hilarion (Forkavets) led the Akathist at the Intercession Academic Church, Archimandrite Michael (Borey) led it at the seminary church St. John the Climacus.

The Metropolitan of Tobolsk and Tyumen Dimitry officiated an All-night Vigil at the Church of the Intercession Academic Church co-served by the academic clergy. 

The Bishop of Kanash and Belovolzhsk Stefan performed the festive lithia and the consecration of bread. 

The Metropolitan of Tashkent and Uzbekistan Vikenty, Head of the Central Asian Metropolitan District, officiated an All-night Vigil at the Church of St. John Climacus co-served by the academic clergy. 

The Metropolitan of Yoshkar-Ola and Mari John performed a lithia and offered a prayer to the Lord for the consecration of bread. 

Before the reading of Kathisma, Sergei Lavrentyuk, a fourth-year undergraduate student, delivered a sermon at the Intercession Academic Church:

St. Sergius appeared as a bright lamp filled with the Holy Spirit. Thanks to his work, many people around the world can see an example of the true holiness. During St. Sergius’ lifetime, all people, despite their social status, could find a way to him and were received with love». 

On October 8, the Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl Veniamin, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, performed the Divine Liturgy at the Intercession Academic Church, while Metropolitan Vincent officiated in the seminary church. Both were co-celebrating with Their Eminence Bishops and the academic clergy.

After the Sacrament verse, Sergei Madyanov, a fourth-year undergraduate student, delivered a sermon at the Intercession Academic Church. 

In the Seminary church, Alexander Volchenkov, a student of the preparatory Master's program, delivered a sermon reflecting on the significance of the personality of St. Sergius in the Russian History:

In the personality of St. Sergius, the brilliance of the Heavenly Kingdom is combined with a strong prayer. It seemed that his conversation with the Savior did not stop even during daily routines, confession of the brethren or many other things. The strong faith, patience and unconditional love formed the Russian Abbot. But he would not have been the comforter of his long-suffering Fatherland if he had not held the Heavenly Fatherland in his heart in the most crucial moments. Despite the darkness of human passions, wild animals, multiple temptations, his heart was flooded with light, destroying all corruption, bitterness and untruth. And this divine light emanating from his shrine is still felt by all those who travel long distances to see the Sun of the Russian land.

After the dismissal, the bishops in the academic and seminary churches sajng glorification to St. Sergius in front of his icon. Then Metropolitan Benjamin addressed the worshipers of the Intercession Academic Church with his archpastoral word. In the Church of St. John the Climacus, Metropolitan Vincent delivered a speech. The bishops congratulated each other and thanked the co-celebrating bishops and the academic clergy for their joint prayer. 

Background information:

Clergy served at the Intercession Academic Church during the All-night Vigi: the Metropolitan of Tobolsk and Tyumen Dimitry co-celebrated by Metropolitan Seraphim (Zaliznitsky), Archbishop of Birobidzhan and Kuldur Ephraim, Bishop Stefan of Kanash and Belovolzhsky, Bishop Alexy of Buzuluk and Sorochinsky, Bishop of Gubkin and Grayvoronsky Sophrony, Bishop of Skopinsky and Shatsky Pitirim , Bishop of Bezhetsk and Udomelsky Filaret, Bishop of Kostomuksha and Kemsky Boris, Bishop of Pinsk and Luninets Georgy, as well as the academic clergy. 

Clergy served at the Intercession Academic Church during the Divine Liturgy: the Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl Veniamin co-served by Metropolitan Dimitry of Tobolsk and Tyumen, Metropolitan Seraphim (Zaliznitsky), Archbishop of Birobidzhan and Kuldur Ephraim, Bishop of Kanash and Belovolzhsky Stefan, Bishop of Buzuluk and Sorochinsky Alexy, Bishop of Gubkin and Grayvor Onsky Sophrony, Bishop of Skopinsk and Shatsk Pitirim, Bishop of Bezhetsk and Udomelsky Filaret, Bishop of Kostomuksha and Kemsky Boris, Bishop of Pinsk and Luninets Georgy, the academic clergy. 

Chanting performed by the second academic choir under the conduct of A.O. Leventsova. 

Clergy served at the Church of St. John the Climacus: the Metropolitan of Tashkent and Uzbekistan Vincent co-served by Metropolitan John of Yoshkar-Ola and Mari, Bishop Savvaty of Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan, Bishop Ignatius of Cherepovets and Belozersky and the academic clergy. 

Chanting performed by the second mixed choir under the consuct of K.A. Alekseeva. 

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