The Academy honored the memory of St. John Climacus

On April 11, Sunday services of the fourth week of the Great Lent in honour of St. John Climacus were also performed at the Intercession Church of the Moscow Theological Academy.

St. John Climacus wrote his famous book “The Klimax” dedicated to ascetic labors, which takes an important part at the church heritage.

St. John Climacus wrote his famous book “The Klimax” dedicated to ascetic labors, which takes an important part at the church heritage.

On April 10, Archimandrite Michael (Borey) officed an all-night vigil at the seminarian church of St. John Climacus.

Archimandrite Hilarion (Porkavets) headed an all-night vigil at the Intercession Academic Church.

Before the Kathisma, David Kitchatov, a third-year undergraduate student, delivered a sermon, in which he talked about the meaning of a troparion "Open the doors of repentance, the Giver of Life."

The meaning of repentance is revealed by a wonderful chant “Open the doors of repentance, the Giver of Life”. We have been heard it since a preparatory week to the Great Lent. We will hear it even today. This chant sung throughout the Hole Forties repeats the main theme of these days. It is the theme of repentance. The deep meaning of the troparion helps us to focus on our inner self, to realize how abominating a sin is and to step on the right path placing all hope on the Risen Savior. We ask the Lord to give us strength not only to see our sins, but also to change our attitude towards them, to redress our life. This is a long and difficult way, so in the troparion we hear a plea to open the doors in order to step on this path. The request is addressed to God, because only the Lord can help a person to rethink his life and He is the only One Who can give a person some strength to walk along the path of self-correction».

On April 11, the Bishop of Zvenigorod Theodorite celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the seminarian church of St. John Climacus co-served by teachers and students in the priesthood.

At the Hours, Bishop Theodorite elevated Reader Serafim Belyaev, a fourth-year undergraduate student, to the rank of a subdeacon.

During the singing of antiphons, Bishop Theodorite tonsured third-year students Nikita Zakharov, Mikhail Kondratyev, Veniamin Polzikov second year students Alexander Pochtovy and Igor Solomennikov of the Moscow Theological Academy as Readers.

After reading the Gospel, Bishop Theodorite addressed an assembly with his archpastoral word.

At the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Theodorite ordained Hierodeacon Paul (Polevoy), a 1st year Master student, into an hieromonk and Subdeacon Seraphim Belyaev into a deacon.

Before the Communion, Mikhail Kondratyev, a third-year undergraduate student, delivered a sermon, in which he talked about the faith in divine providence.

Thanks to our faith in Divine providence, we can face any trials, because God as a loving Father takes care of us. Sending us some obsticles, He makes us physically and spiritually stronger. Faith, thus, helps us in difficult times to strengthen our hearts and do not despair, it gives us hope, which allows to continue our earthly living».

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Theodorite and the academic clergy sang a glorification to St. John Climacus.

Bishop Theodorite congratulated the parishioners of the St. John Climacus Church and its chief priest Archimandrite Michael (Borey), Hegumen Lazar (Gnativ), Dean of the Faculty of Church Singing Art of the Moscow Theological Academy, as well as teachers and students of the faculty.

Archimandrite Benedict (Knyazev) headed the Divine Liturgy at the Intercession Academic Church.

After the Sacrament verse, Hieromonk Kassian (Plosskiy) delivered a sermon.

Background information:

Chanting at the seminarian church of St. John Climacus, performed be a female choir of the Faculty of Church Singing Art of the Moscow Theological Academy the conduct of K.A. Tarelkina. Chanting at the Intercession Academic Church performed by a male choir led by Hieromonk Nestor (Volkov).

MThA Press Office

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