The Academy celebrated the Ascension of the Lord

 Forty days after the Holy Christ’s Resurrection of Christ the Orthodox Church celebrates the Ascension of the Lord.

Ancient prophecies told about God becoming a man, who would endure terrible sufferings and crucifixion before Hid Resurrection. Ascension shows the completion the human salvation as the Lord Jesus transfigured human flesh and brought it up to His Father.

You ascended in glory, Christ our God, bringing your disciples joy by announcing the Holy Spirit promised in early blessings, for You are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world».

On June 1, the Bishop of Zvenigorod Theodorite, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, officed a festive All-night vigil at the Intercession Academic Church co-served by the academic clergy.

On June 2, Bishop Theodorite celebrated the Divine Liturgy co-served by teachers and students in the priesthood.

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

After the Sacrament verse, Georgy Grebenshchikov, a fourth-year undergraduate student, delivered a sermon:

Having ascended to the Father, Christ still mysteriously live in the Church talking and acting through His disciples and followers. So, His words “Behold with you…” are for everyone, who enters the saving shelter of the Church. The Lord reveals Himself through His Church to the whole world. Realizing this, we must understand that the Ascension of the Lord is an event that has a deep effect on our lives. Thanks to His Ascension, the Holy Spirit descended on apostles and the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ spread throughout the world. Dear brothers and sisters, let us thank Merciful God. Let us keep the faith handed down to us from the apostles and preserved in the Sacraments. Let us become closer to Christ guided by the Church in this earthly life inorder to abide with Him in the everlasting one».

Background information:

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

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