The Academy celebrated the Circumcision of the Lord and a memory of St. Basil the Great

At the Old Testament, people were waiting for the Messiah, who would fulfill the prophecies and save the humankind from its sins and death. Jesus Christ became that Messiah so that everyone would testify that He is the One Whom the prophets foretold. 

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17).

Eight days after the birth of the Divine Infant, the Holy Church celebrates the feast of the Circumcision of the Lord. It was the day when the Savior fulfilled the law given in the Old Testament and got His name proclaimed by the archangel Gabriel at the Annunciation.

And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb (Luke 2:21).

On the same day, believers honor the memory of St. Basil, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia.

On January 13, Archimandrite Hilarion (Forkavets) led an all-night vigil at the Intercession Church co-served by the clergy of the academic church.

On January 14, Archimandrite Hilarion celebrated the Divine Liturgy co-served by teachers and students in the priesthood.

After singing the sacrament verse, Hieromonk Thaddeus (Pryadun) delivered a sermon.

Background information:

Chanting performed by mixed choirs under the conduct of K.A. Alekseeva and Ksenia Chukhnina, a 3rd year student of the Church Singing Art Faculty.

MThA Press Office