The Academy honored the memory of St. John Climacus

On April 3, the fourth Sunday of the Great Lent, the Bishop of Zvenigorod Theodorite, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the seminary church in honor of St. John Climacus.

The Orthodox Church especially honors St. John Climacus during the Great Lent. Thanks to his ascetic works, the saint had a great influence on the monastic tradition. “The Ladder” is his best-known book and a part of the church heritage.

On April 2, Bishop Theodorite officed an All-night vigil at the Intercession Academic Church co-served by teachers and students in the priesthood.

Roman Belashov, a first-year Master's student, delivered a sermon:

Your faith is one of the most important things. Saint Fathers compare a Christian with a warrior, because he has faith in his commander-in-chief, faith in his victory, a clear strategy and an acting plan. This is how it should be with you and me. Let us ask the Merciful God to endow us with a great treasure, which the living faith is. And may the days of the Great Lent pass under the banner of faith and bring us awareness and acceptance of our own ladder of spiritual growth to the Heavenly Kingdom thanks to St. John Climacus’ prayers. 

On April 3, Bishop Theodorite celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the seminary church of St. John Climacus, co-served by teachers and students in the priesthood.

At the antiphons, Bishop Theodorite tonsured second-year undergraduate students Pavel Rudikov, Sergei Bekhovsky, Joseph Ganeshin, Alexei Frolov and Sergei Volkov as Readers.

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

After the Sacrament verse, Vitaly Korytko, a fourth-year undergraduate student, delivered a sermon.

On April 3, Archimandrite Venedikt (Knyazev) led the Divine Liturgy at the Intercession Academic Church co-served by the academic clergy.

Background information:

Chanting at the Intercession Academic Church performed by a male choir under the conduct of E.V. Borovinsky and a mixed choir led by K. A. Tarelkina.

Chanting at the seminary church of St. John Climacus performed by mixed choirs under the direction of S. P. Borovinskaya and K. A. Alekseeva.

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