Divine services on Saturday of the first week of Great Lent

The Moscow Theological Academy Divine held divine services on Saturday of the first week of the Great Lent.

On March 11, Archimandrite Platon (Igumnov) headed evening service at the Intercession Academic Church.

On March 12, the Bishop of Zvenigorod Theodorite, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Intercession Academic Church co-served by teachers and students in the priesthood.

At the Hours, Bishop Theodorite tonsured 3rd year undergraduate students of the Moscow Theological Academy Ilia Bondarenko, Prokhor Ivanov, Roman Krivonogov, Dmitry Polyansky as Readers and also elevated John Popov, a 2nd year Master’s student, into the rank of subdeacon. 

During the Divine Liturgy, the Rector ordained Deacon Stefan Martenyuk into a presbyter and Subdeacon John Popov into a deacon.

After singing the sacrament verse, Andrey Naumenko, a 2nd year Master's student, delivered a sermon:

We are Christians so we have not only honor the memory of saints, but also imitate their life. How can we passing through the Great Lent now resemble just to some extent, for example, St. John the Baptist? Apostle Paul answers: “Endure suffering like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Because a warrior is always on guard and ready to fight and die for his Fatherland. So we must be ready to face the death. Dear brothers and sisters, let us make efforts for spiritual struggles. And so we will receive a reward from the Lord Jesus Christ and an everlasting life».

Background information:

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

MThA Press Office