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

On November 20 and 21, the Academy solemnly celebrated the Day of Archangel Michael and other Heavenly Forces. The Holy Fathers established this holiday at the beginning of the 4th century at the Laodicean Council, where they condemned the heresy of angels as creators and rulers of the world and approved the Orthodox veneration.

On November 20, the Bishop of Zvenigorod Theodorite, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, officed an All-night vigil at the Intercession Academic Church co-served by teachers and students in the priesthood.

After Kathisma, Vasily Kuleshin, a 4th year undergraduate student, delivered a sermon.

This holiday was established as a reminder of purity and holiness that should be a goal for each Christian. We have to strive to join the Council of saints by purifying our hearts and getting the help of God's angels on the path of following Christ's commandments. We have to live maintain a live that does not separate us but brings closer to an angelic world».

During the Canon, Bishop Theodorite elevated Reader Vladimir Oleinik, a 4th-year undergraduate student, into a rank of subdeacon.

On November 21, Bishop Theodorite celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Intercession Academic Church co-served by the Bishop of Sergiev-Posad and Dmitrov Thomas, Abbot of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, and the clergy of an academic church.

On antiphons, Bishop Theodorite tonsured 3rd-year undergraduate students Sergey Deikun, Evgeny Shagunov, David Bokov, Fyodor Khvostunkov as Readers.

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

During the Divine Liturgy, the Bishop of Zvenigorod Theodorite ordained Deacon Evgeny Fadeev, a 4th-year undergraduate student, into a presbyter and Subdeacon Vladimir Oleinik into a deacon.

After singing the Sacrament verse, Vladislav Pelyugin, a 4th year undergraduate student, delivered a sermon:

Being in unity with God and His Divine Glory is a goal of our earthly life. The history of the great battle that took place in heaven and its winners that we honor and glorify today serve as an edification to the entire created world».

At the end of the service, Bishop Theodorite, Bishop Thomas and the clergy of the academic church glorified the Archangel of God Michael and other Heavenly Forces.

Also, Bishop Thomas expressed his best wishes and congratulated the MThA Rector Bishop Theodorite on his birthday, which he celebrated on the 21st of November.

Hieromonk Vyacheslav (Sorokin), Vice-rector for educational work, pronounced greetings to Bishop Theodorite on a behalf of teachers, staff and students of the Academy.

In addition, the third Sunday of a month is the World Commemoration Day of Road Traffic Victims. After the service, Hieromonk Mihey (Kopytov) and Deacon Sergiy Ivanov performed a funeral lithium for Orthodox Christians who perished in road accidents. 

Background information:

Chanting performed by a male united choir under the conduct of Hieromonk Nestor (Volkov) and a third mixed choir led by Ksenya Tarelkina.