The Academy honored the memory of St. Mary of Egypt

Today the Church honors the memory of St. Mary of Egypt. Her remarkable example shows that despite the depth of the fall a person can get divine love and forgiveness by longing to God and bring worthy fruits of repentance.

You, mother, is known to have saved yourself by taking the cross and following Christ, through your deeds you taught to despise the flesh, as it comes and passes, and take care of your immortal soul. So, your spirit, Reverend Mary, is rejoicing with angels.

On April 9, Bishop of Zvenigorod Theodorite, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, officed an all-night vigil co-served by the academic clergy.

At the canon, the Rector elevated reader Alexander Maksimov, a second-year Master’s student, into a subdeacon.

On April 10, Bishop Theodorite celebrated the Divine Liturgy co-served by teachers and students in the priesthood.

At the antiphons, Bishop Theodorite tonsured third-year undergraduate students Alexey Kozhevnikov, Maxim Musaev, Sergey Lishchenyuk and Vitaliy Seredenin as readers.

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

During the divine service, Bishop Theodorite ordained deacon Andrey Kravtsov, a first-year Master’s student, into a presbyter and subdeacon Alexander Maksimov into a deacon.

After singing the Sacrament verse, Victor Franzhev, a second-year Master's student, delivered a sermon:

The circumstances that brought Mary of Egypt on a ship to Jerusalem may at first look like an accident. However, taking a closer look, we can see the power of the Divine Providence. God appeals to everyone and summons to leave a sinful life turning on the path of salvation. St. Mary resolutely accepted God's command. So, her decisiveness is the best example for us.

We should imitate her life in vigilant attention to our souls in order to accept God's call and be determined to change the way of our thoughts and actions once and for all.

Background information:

Chanting performed by a male choir under the conduct of V.V. Chuvilov and a mixed choir led by K.A. Alekseeva.

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