Sunday services on the Week of Saint Fathers
On January 1 and 2, the Church celebrates the Week of Saint Fathers and the memory of St. righteous John of Kronstadt.
Fathers’ Week is the last Sunday before Christmas, when we remember the Savior’s “relatives” and His family. During the Divine Liturgy, the 1st Chapter of the Gospel of Matthew covers Christ’s genealogy:
And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.
It is important that prophecies about the Messiah coming in the world fulfilled.
On January 1, Archimandrite Platon (Igumnov) headed an all-night vigil co-served by the clergy of the Intercession Church of the Moscow Theological Academy.
During the service, Peter Trophimov, a student of the propaedeutic Master's course, delivered a sermon:
Do we become disciples when we say with Mary "Rabboni"? No, we become real disciples, when we fulfill God’s commandments. If we say like St. Thomas “My Lord and my God”, but do not follow His way, we might hear “I will be their God” (Var. 2:35) or «I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me (Isa. 1: 2). We are not just called Christians because we say: “This is the Lord!” Unless we stand with His beloved disciple John at the Cross, we have no right for this title.
If only we are worthy of a name of the Christian all our lives. If only everyone who thinks of the God would become His true worshiper and admirer! Therefore, even if we fall, we should not be afraid to call the all-holy God's Name, because as a prophet said “For God will save Zion And build the cities of Judah, That they may dwell there and possess (Psalm 68:36).
On January 2, Archimandrite Platon (Igumnov) celebrated the Divine Liturgy co-served by teachers and students in the priesthood.
After singing the sacrament verse, Roman Korolev, a 2nd year Master’s student, delivered a sermon:
Today, expecting Christmas, the Church remembers all Jesus Christ’s ancestors in flesh. That’s why we gratefully honor the memory of our parents and grandparents both living and deceased as through this we follow one of the Lord’s commandments. Remembering them, we earn our longevity and a prosperous life. St. Apostle Paul reminds us: «Honor your father and mother,» which is the first commandment with promise: «that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.» (Eph. 6: 2–3). Thanks to them, we appeared in this world and an opportunity to reach an everlasting life. And in the book of Wisdom of Jesus, the Sirach’s son we read: “Honor your father with all your heart and do not forget your mother’s maternity diseases. Remember that you are born by them and what can you repay them for that?" (Sire. 7: 29-30).
Background information:
Chanting performed by a male choir under the conduct of V.V. Chuvilov.
