The Academy celebrated the day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

The Kazan image of the Mother of God is a visible sign of God’s Mercy shown in Russia. There are many images of the Mother of God, which were revealed in the most difficult and dark periods of our history. Thanks to Her intercession, people could overcome all the trials that fell to their lot.

Today, looking at the Kazan icon, the Church glorifies the Most Blessed Virgin and prays:

Oh, the Most Holy Theotokos, the Queen of Heaven and earth, who is higher than angels and archangels, worthy an honor greater than all creation, pure Virgin Mary, the Intercessor of the world, the Strength to all people and the Giver in our needs!

On November 3, Archimandrite Venedikt (Knyazev) officiated an All-Night Vigil at the Intercession Church co-served by the academic clergy.

Archimandrite Platon (Igumnov) officiated the festive Lithia and the consecration of bread.

Before the Kathisma, Ilya Filatov, a fourth-year undergraduate student, delivered a sermon:

We have to try to maintain peace in our hearts and show mercy to our neighbors. The Most Holy Theotokos suffered a lot and endured sorrows, but she turned Her whole life into following the will of God and forgave everyone. We can follow Her by doing the commandments and structuring our lives according to the Gospel. Let’s ask Her help to get a peaceful inner state, so we can pray for our enemies, following the example of the Mother of God.

On November 4, the Bishop of Zvenigorod Kirill, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, performed the Divine Liturgy at the Intercession Church co-served by the academic clergy.

At the litany, Bishop Kirill pronounces special petitions for our country and the Russian army.

After the Great Entrance, Bishop Kirill ordained Deacon Pavel Gudilin, a third-year postgraduate student, into a presbyter. After the Eucharistic Canon, the Rector ordained Subdeacon Roman Belashov, a second-year Master’s student, into a deacon.

After the Sacrament Verse, Vitaly Korytko, a student of a propaedeutic Master’s course, delivered a sermon:

Someone might think that humility means infantilism and helplessness. However, true humility makes a person strong and courageous. In the fact, he does everything he can, but at the same time does not rely only on his own strength trusting God. Unfortunately, such humility reached only after going through difficult circumstances in a life.

At the end of the Liturgy, the academic clergy sang the glorification in front of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. After that, the Rector addressed an assembly with his archpastoral word.

Background information:

Clergy served at the Divine Liturgy: Bishop Kirill co-served by Archimandrites Venedikt (Knyazev), Platon (Igumnov), Hilarion (Farkovets), Luka (Golovkov), Simeon (Tomachinsky), Abbots Melety (Sokolov), Adrian (Pashin), Archpriest Sergiy Zabelich, Hieromonk Varnava (Losev), Hieromonk Mikhey (Kopytov), ​​Priest Sergiy Fufaev, Hieromonk Cassian (Plosky), Hieromonk Serapion (Zalesny), Hieromonk Methodius (Agus), Deacon Dimitry Maslov, Deacon Nikolai Goyuk, Hierodeacon Job (Urum), Deacon Bogdan Belashov.

Chanting performed by a male choir under the conduct of V.V. Chuvilov and a mixed choir led by S.P. Borovinskaya.

MThA Press Office