Festive services on the day of Archangel Michael and other Heavenly Forces

Even at the apostolic times, there were people who taught about impossibility to turn directly to Christ, so we have to call on angels. This point of view brought to idolatry making worship angels as creators and rulers of the world.

On November 21, the Church celebrates the Cathedral of Archangel Michael and other Heavenly Forces. At the beginning of the 4th century, Holy Fathers established the feast at the Council in Laodicea, where they fought against the heretical worship of angels as creators and rulers of the world and approved Orthodox veneration.

The word "angel" in Greek means a "messenger" as they are sent to bring God’s will to people. Archangel Michael is the closest angel to people who takes part in the history of entire nations.

On November 20, Bishop of Zvenigorod Theodorite officed a festive all-night vigil at the Intercession Academic Church.

During the evening service a four-year undergraduate student Peter Trofimov delivered a sermon:

We hardly find in the Scriptures that holy angels assimilated the glory of God, but we see that, being servants of His will, they called themselves. That is why we, who are called to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14), should also become Lord's messengers, that is, God's angels. It does not mean that we should boldly appropriate the Lord's glory, but especially care for our own purification, so that the Light of Christ will enlighten the world through us».

On November 21, Bishop Theodorite performed the Divine Liturgy at the Intercession Church of the Moscow Theological Academy.

After reading the Holy Gospel, the Rector addressed an assembly with his archpastoral word.

At the funeral litany, the deacon proclaimed a petition for the newly reposed His Holiness Patriarch Irineus of Serbia and the Metropolitan of Kazan and Tatarstan Theophanes.

At the end of the Eucharistic Canon, Archimandrite Simeon (Tomachinsky), Assistant Professor of the Philology Department, delivered a sermon:

Angels remind us of the Heavenly Fatherland, to which we are called and where we strive. They are our elder brothers and mentors in prayer. They remind us that we are not created for worldly excitement, not for self-interest, not for battles, but for sweet sounds and prayers».

Today, the MThA Rector Bishop Theodorite celebrates his 40th anniversary. 

After the Divine Liturgy, he received congratulations from Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, Chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church Study Committee.

Archpriest Maxim read out a greeting letter from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and wished Bishop Theodorite God's help in his archpastoral ministry:

Dear Vladyka, I am sure that being naturally tactful and wise you combine these qualities with firmness in making decisions and understanding the importance of church science. It is providential that you were assigned to this service as the best possible rector of the Moscow Theological Academy in our times. God help you for many and many years to carry worthy archpastoral, rector's office and whatever the hierarchy will entrust you as the successor of the apostles».

Также протоиерей Максим Козлов от лица Учебного комитета вручил епископу Феодориту ведомственную награду —  медаль Трех учителей и святителей Вселенских.

Also Archpriest Maxim Kozlov presented Bishop Theodorite a medal of the Study Committee depicting Three Teachers and Ecumenical Hierarchs.

After that, Archimandrite Venedikt (Knyazev), Teacher of the Moscow Theological Academy, spoke on behalf of an academic teaching corporation and presented Bishop Theodorite a panagia depicting the Intercession of the Virgin.

Владыка ректор поблагодарил преподавателей и сотрудников Московской духовной академии за ценный дар и всех поздравил с праздником Архистратига Божия Михаила.

Background information:

Chanting performed by a male choir led by Hieromonk Nestor (Volkov) and a female choir led by Ksenia Tarelkina.

MThA Press Office