The Moscow Theological Academy held festive services dedicated to St. Sergius of Radonezh

As a carrying Abbot, St. Sergius again gathered his faithful disciples to participate in the spiritual celebration at the Holy Trinity Lavra.

The Moscow Theological Academy, which is located within the walls of the Lavra and under protection of the Reverend, was also involved in the celebration. 

That day, the bishops of the Russian Church officiated festive services in two churches of the Moscow Theological Academy and numerous guests of the Lavra and the Academy gathered to venerate St. Sergius.

According to the tradition, the liturgical celebrations began with an Akathist to St. Sergius performed the day before on October 7. Archimandrite Platon (Igumnov) led the Akathist at the Intercession Academic Church, while Archimandrite Michael (Borey) led it in the Seminarian church in honor of St. John the Climacus.

Later, the Metropolitan of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturye Evgeniy officiated an All-Night Vigil at the Intercession Academic Church co-served by other bishops and the academic clergy. 

Bishop of Kansk and Boguchansk Vyacheslav performed the festive lithany and the consecration of bread. 

The Metropolitan of Tashkent and Uzbekistan Vincent, Head of the Central Asian Metropolitan District, officiated an All-Night Vigil at the Church of St. John the Climacus. 

Bishop of Amur and Chegdomyn Nikolay performed a lithia and offered a prayer to the Lord for the consecration of bread.

Before reading of Kathisma, Oleg Muravyov, a fourth- year undergraduate student, delivered a sermon at the Intercession Academic Church.

On October 8, the Metropolitan of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturye Evgeniy celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Intercession Academic Church, while Metropolitan Vincent headed it at the Seminarian Church. The guest bishops and the academic clergy co-celebrated His Eminence.

After the Sacrament Verse, Hieromonk Mikhei (Kopytov) delivered a sermon at the Intercession Church, in which he spoke about St. Sergius’ life and his deeds.

In the Seminary church, Stephan Davletov, a first-year Master's student, delivered a sermon. 

After the dismissal, the bishops in the academic and seminary churches sang glorification to St. Sergius in front of his icon. Then Metropolitan Eugene addressed an assembly of the Intercession Church with his archpastoral word. Metropolitan Vincent delivered a sermon in the Church of St. John the Climacus. The bishops congratulated everyone who came on this day to honor the memory of St. Sergius. 

Background information:

After the dismissal, the bishops in the academic and seminary churches sang glorification to St. Sergius in front of his icon. Then Metropolitan Eugene addressed an assembly of the Intercession Church with his archpastoral word. Metropolitan Vincent delivered a sermon in the Church of St. John the Climacus. The bishops congratulated everyone who came on this day to honor the memory of St. Sergius. 

Clergy served the Divine Liturgy at the Intercession Academic Church, the Metropolitan of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturye Evgeniy co-served by the Bishop of Skopinsk and Shatsk Pitirim, the Bishop of Pereslavl and Uglich Feoktist, the Bishop of Pinsk and Lunenetsk George, the Bishop of Kansk and Boguchansky Vyacheslav and the academic clergy. 

Chanting performed by the first academic choir under the conduct of E.V. Borovinsky. 

Clergy served at the Church of St. John the Climacus, the Metropolitan of Tashkent and Uzbekistan Vincent co-served by the Bishop of Orsk and Gai Irenei, the Bishop of Amur and Chegdomyn Nikolai and the academic clergy. 

Chanting performed by the first mixed choir under the conduct of S.P. Borovinskaya.

MThA Press Office