“Come people, let us worship the One who was born for the salvation of our souls”. The Academy celebrated the Nativity of Christ
What miracle is happening now? Why do shepherds rush to a manger, and angels sing in the Heaven? Who does Virgin Mary hold in Her embrace? While Bethlehem was sleeping, the whole world was filled with silence and tranquility rejoicing: “Glory to the Lord! The Savior is born!”
He is the One, Who established earth and seas, stars and light, angels and archangels. He is the Only Son of God becomes the Son of Mary for the salvation of His people. He is hope, which was expected by the mankind.
Christmas is here. The Newborn lies is a manger. The Mage are on their way with their gifts. Let us come offering our hearts as precious gifts and celebrate in love and unity of the Church.
Christ is born!
On January 6, the Bishop of Zvenigorod Kirill, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, together with the academic clergy officiated the Grand Compline and the Matins. After that, Bishop Kirill led the Litiya and blessed the bread.
At night on January 6, Bishop Kirill celebrated the festive Divine Liturgy at the Intercession Academic Church co-served by teachers and students in the priesthood.
After the Sacrament verse, Hieromonk Varnava (Losev), Dean of the Intercession Academic Church, read the Epistle of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill to archpastors, pastors, deacons, monastics and all faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church on Christmas 2023.
At the end, the clergy sang the glorification to the Savior in front of the icon of the Nativity of Christ. After that, Bishop Kirill congratulated an assembly and addressed with his archpastoral word.
After the service, teachers, students and guests of the Academy were invited for a festive meal.
Background information:
Clergy served at the all-night vigil: Bishop Kirill co-served by Archimandrites Platon (Igumnov), Hilarion (Forkavets), Luka (Golovkov), Simeon (Tomachinsky), Abbots Gerasim (Dyachkov), Adrian (Pashin), Melety (Sokolov), Hieromonk Barnabas (Losev), Archpriest Sergiy Zabelich, Priest Dimitry Baritsky, Hieromonks Theodore (Yulaev), Vyacheslav (Sorokin), Cassian (Plosky), Mikhey (Kopytov), Priest Valery Dukhanin, Hieromonks John (Merzlyakov) and Boris (Zelyuchenko), Deacon Dimitry Maslov, Hierodeacon Job (Urum), Ioanniky (Pajan), Deacon Miodrag Radovanovitch.
Clergy served at the Divine Liturgy: Bishop Kirill co-served by Archimandrites Platon (Igumnov), Hilarion (Forkavets), Luka (Golovkov), Simeon (Tomachinsky), Abbots Gerasim (Dyachkov), Adrian (Pashin), Melety (Sokolov), Hieromonk Barnabas (Losev), Archpriest Sergiy Zabelich, Priest Dimitry Baritsky, Hieromonks Theodore (Yulaev), Cassian (Plosky), Mikhey (Kopytov), Priest Valery Dukhanin, Hieromonks John (Merzlyakov) and Boris (Zelyuchenko), Deacon Dimitry Maslov, Hierodeacons Job (Urum), Ioanniky (Pajan), Deacon Miodrak Radovanovitch.Форкавец ), Лука (Головков), Симеон (Томачинский), игумены Герасим (Дьячков), Адриан (Пашин), Мелетий (Соколов), иеромонах Варнава (Лосев), протоиерей Сергий Забелич, иерей Димитрий Барицкий, иеромонахи Феодор (Юлаев), Кассиан (Плоский), Михей (Копытов), иерей Валерий Духанин, иеромонахи Иоанн (Мерзляков) и Борис (Зелюченко), диакон Димитрий Маслов, иеродиаконы Иов (Урум), Иоанникий (Паджан), диакон Миодрак Радованович.
Chanting performed by a first academic choir under the conduct of E.V. Borovinsky.
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