The Moscow Theological Academy solemnly celebrated the Holy Pentecost

Fifty days have passed since the celebration of the Holy Resurrection of Christ. Today the Church celebrates such an important event as the Descent of the Holy Spirit. 

"Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, showing the wise fishermen and sending upon them the Holy Spirit, who caught the universe, Lover of mankind, glory to Thee."

On June 11, the Bishop of Zvenigorod Theodorite, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, read an akathist to the Most Holy and Life-Giving Trinity and officed a festive all-night vigil at the Intercession Academic Church.

Peter Trofimov, a first-year Master's student, delivered a sermon:

“Oh, if only we didn’t grieve the Spirit of God! Oh, if we acted worthy of His love as His children! This path is difficult and the call of God is terrible! However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come (John 16:13). 

During the Canon, Bishop Theodorite elevated Konstantin Babak, a second-year graduate student, into the rank of subdeacon.

On June 12, Archimandrite Venedikt (Knyazev) celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Intercession Academic Church. 

After singing the sacramental verse, Reader Andrey Naumenko, a second-year Master’s student, delivered a sermon:

We often think that we were given the same Holy Spirit as the apostles, who thanks to this act had preached the Gospel in the world. Like the apostles, we are called to preach the Word of God to the world, and our whole life should be a form of preaching. The Lord said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another» (John 13:35). Apostle Paul adds “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law (Gal. 5:22-23). These virtues look simple and inconspicuous, but they have the power of fire tongues and the salt that penetrates everything.

At the end of the Liturgy, Archimandrite Benedict officed the Vespers with special kneeling prayers co-served by the academic clergy. 

Background information:

Chanting performed by a male choir under the conduct of V.V. Chuvilov.

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