Moscow Theological Academy Celebrates Annunciation with Festive Services on Holy Monday

"Revealing to Thee, O Virgin, the Pre-eternal Counsel, Gabriel stood before Thee…" — thus the Holy Church sings at the beginning of the festive service of the great Annunciation. The Pre-eternal Counsel of the Holy Trinity concerning the Incarnation of the Only-Begotten Son of God for the redemption and salvation of a humanity perishing in sin was an incomprehensible mystery, hidden until the time appointed by God, not only from people but also from angels. When the time for the Incarnation of the Word of God drew near, there appeared in humanity the one and only Virgin, the Most Blessed Mary, pure and holy, worthy to serve the cause of human salvation and to become the Mother of the Son of God.

On the eve of the feast, April 6, an All-Night Vigil was held at the Academy, led by Archimandrite Benedict (Knyazev) with the assistance of the Academy’s clergy.

After the reading of the Six Psalms, a sermon was delivered by Andrei Lukashev, a first-year master’s student. In his address, the preacher spoke about the history and significance of the Feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos.

On the morning of April 7, the faculty and students of the Moscow Theological Academy gathered for the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom to partake in the Holy Eucharist and to glorify the Most Holy Theotokos — the Intercessor and Advocate before God, through Whom the salvation of the human race was accomplished. The festive service was led by Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov.

After the Eucharistic Canon, the Bishop performed the diaconal ordination of Monk John (Proshkin), a second-year master’s student.

Following the Prayer Behind the Ambo, a sermon was delivered by Hieromonk John (Merzlyakov). In his address, Father John emphasized that the salvation of the human race began at the moment of the Annunciation.

After the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov addressed the congregation with a pastoral word.

Background information:

The liturgical hymns were performed by the 1st Academic Choir under the direction of E.V. Borovinsky and the 3rd Mixed Choir under the direction of A.A. Antonova.

MThA Press Office