Academy celebrated the feast of the Cathedral of the Most Holy Theotokos
On January 7 and 8, the Rector Bishop of Zvenigorod Theodorite officed services on the feast of the Cathedral of the Most Holy Theotokos at the Intercession Academic Church.
On the second day after Christmas, the Church celebrates the Cathedral of the Most Holy Theotokos and glorifies the Blessed Virgin, the holy righteous Joseph, King David and Jacob, the Lord's brother, who accompanied the Mother of God and the Divine Child on their escape to Egypt.
Since long ago, Christians have gathered on this day to glorify the Most Holy Virgin, who thanks to her pure life and voluntary consent became the repository of the Creator of the Universe. The feast of the Cathedral of the Most Holy Theotokos was established on the VI Ecumenical Council in 681.
Before the morning star from the Father without a mother, Born on earth without a father, this day appeared in flesh from you. That is why the star preaches good news to the Magi, while angels with the shepherds sing of Thy immaculate generations, Graceful One. "
On January 7, Archimandrite Benedict (Knyazev) together with teachers and students in the priesthood headed the all-night vigil at the Intercession Academic Church.
On January 8, the Bishop of Zvenigorod Theodorite, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, celebrated the Divine Liturgy.
Во время чтения часов владыка возвел в чин иподиакона студента 4 курса бакалавриата чтеца Михаила Малютина.
After the Gospel reading, Bishop Theodorite addressed an assembly with his archpastoral word.
At the end of the Eucharistic Canon, the rector ordained Subdeacon Michael Malyutin into a deacon.
Hegumen Daniil (Vasilenko) gave a sermon, in which he spoke about the origin of the Cathedral of the Most Holy Theotokos feast and the significance of the Virgin in the fact of Incarnation:
Calling the Blessed Virgin the Mother of God, we confirm the truth that is the basis of our faith, namely the truth of the Incarnation. Whoever does not call the Virgin the Mother of God, casts doubt on the incarnation of the Divine. And if a person questions this truth, it means that nothing has happened, we are still under the curse of eternal condemnation, the sin is not destroyed, the death has not been defeated and nothing has changed. The resurrection of a person who was not a God-man would not be salutary for us. "
The service ended with the glorification of the Nativity of Christ.
At the end of the service, Vladyka Theodorite congratulated Hegumen Gerasim (Dyachkov), Vice-Rector for Administrative Work, Associate Professor of the Church History Department at the Moscow Theological Academy, on the 20th anniversary of his priestly ministry and awarded him with a cross.
Background information:
Chanting performed under the conduct of Hieromonk Nestor (Volkov).
MThA Press Office
