On February 4, 2023, Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi , the administrator of the Philippine-Vietnamese diocese, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the church in honor of St. Matrona of Moscow in Davao. His Eminence was co-served by: Secretary of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese, Hieromonk Cornelius (Molev), Dean of the Nizhnevartovsk Deanery of the Khanty-Mansi Diocese, Archpriest Sergiy Shevchenko, Priest Oleg Gordeev, Priest Joachim Gonzalez. The diaconal rank was headed by Hierodeacon Nikodim (Pirkhovsky). During the Liturgy, Metropolitan Pavel ordained Deacon Alexy Bergado, a cleric of the Church of St. Isidore of Rostov in Alabel, to the priesthood, and reader Agustin Ponferrada was ordained a deacon. At the end of the Service, Metropolitan Pavel addressed the audience: “Dear fathers, brothers and sisters, allow me to congratulate you on the holiday and thank you for the common prayer that we have made today. We have celebrated the Divine Liturgy and 2 ordinations – diaconal and priestly. Our church is being multiplied with the clergy and parishioners, and thus right hand of God leads us to salvation. There is no greater glory than to glorify our Heavenly Creator together. I pray to God that He will bless this land with His Divine blessing and send down the Holy Spirit on those who take holy orders today. It is impossible to love God without loving the flock, it is impossible to serve God without serving one’s neighbor. And today, congratulating and admonishing Deacon Agustin, Priest Alexy, I want to say: to serve God means to serve people. To love God means to love your neighbor. God grant that our parishes, and there are already 30 of them, develop, and it is desirable that each parish has its own priest. Most recently, the birth of the Philippine-Vietnamese diocese took place, parishes and flocks are being multiplied, priests are being ordained and trained. I pray to the All-merciful God that He will accomplish His work of salvation, for He desires salvation for all, as it is said in the Holy Scriptures. The Lord calls us, all Orthodox Christians, and says: “You are the Light of the world and the salt of the Earth.” We will bring this Light to those around us, for St. Seraphim of Sarov said: “Acquire the spirit of peace and thousands around you will be saved.” I invoke God’s blessing on everyone: help us, Lord!”

On February 3, 2023, Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi, arrived in Davao City of the Mindanao Island of the Republic of the Philippines. At the Francisco Bangoy Airport in Davao City, Metropolitan Pavel and representatives of the delegation of the Khanty-Mansiysk diocese were met by the Secretary of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese, Hieromonk Cornelius (Molev), representatives of the Orthodox mission in the Philippines. Metropolitan Pavel is accompanied on his trip by: Secretary of the Khanty-Mansi Diocese Abbot Anthony (Kirpichev), Dean of the Surgut City Deanery of the Khanty-Mansi Diocese Archpriest Anthony Isakov, Dean of the Nizhnevartovsk city deanery of the Khanty-Mansi Diocese Archpriest Sergiy Shevchenko, Priest Oleg Gordeev, Chairman of the Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media Priest Anthony Dolgushin, Hierodeacon Nikodim (Pirkhovsky), President of the Literary Foundation “The Way of Life” Dmitry Mizgulin.

As part of the archpastoral visit to the Republic of the Philippines, visits to parishes in different provinces of the republic are planned. Metropolitan Pavel will visit a number of Orthodox communities on the island of Mindanao, where he will perform divine services and hold a diocesan meeting of the clergy and laity of the Philippine–Vietnamese diocese. A number of ordinations of clerics of the Philippine–Vietnamese Diocese will also take place. Metropolitan Pavel will also visit Tubabao Island (Philippines) where the foundation stone was consecrated at the construction site of the church of St. John, Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco. There will also be working meetings of the administrator of the Philippine —Vietnamese diocese with representatives of the state authorities of the cities of the Republic, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of the Philippines M. I. Pavlov and employees of the diplomatic corps of the Russian Federation, representatives of the clergy of the Roman Catholic Church.

A meeting of the Synod of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia was held on January 29, 2023, at the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Ostankino, Moscow, under the chairmanship of the Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and Southeast Asia. The Synod was attended by Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi, Archbishop Theophan of Korea and Bishop Pitirim of Jakarta, Vicar of the Diocese of Singapore. The Synod members expressed filial gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church for their attention to the Orthodoxy in Asia, the development of the life of church communities and the arrangement of their canonical existence. During the meeting, a wide range of issues of the life of the Patriarchal Exarchate and the further development of the parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the countries of Southeast Asia were considered. Upon completion, Metropolitan Pavel presented the Archpastors with the medals of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese.

On January 29, 2023, the 33rd Sunday after Pentecost, the feast of the Veneration of the chains of the Apostle Peter, Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and Southeast Asia, led the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Ostankino, Moscow.

His Eminence was co-served by Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi, Archbishop Theophylact of Pyatigorsk and Circassian, Archbishop Theophan of Korea, Bishop Pitirim of Jakarta, Secretary of the Khanty-Mansi Diocese Abbot Anthony (Kirpichev), clerics of the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Ostankino.

At the end of the service, Metropolitan Sergiy congratulated the faithful on Sunday and addressed the audience with an archpastoral word:

“Your Eminences, dear fathers, brothers and sisters, I am glad to welcome you on this Sunday, which prepares us for Lent. It has already smelled of spiritual spring. Today, I was happy to perform a joint divine service with the bishops, with co-workers in the lands of Southeast Asia and the lands of the Caucasus.
Vladyka Pavel, who heads the Orthodox mission in the Philippine-Vietnamese diocese, where there are already thirty-three parishes. Vladyka Theophan, who heads the Korean Diocese, which includes the countries of North and South Korea. On these lands Vladyka Theophan unites our compatriots, Orthodox believers on the Korean peninsula. Today, Vladyka Pitirim prayed with us here, who looks after parishes in Indonesia, which has about 300 million people. This territory is 20 times smaller than the territory of Russia.
Also, Archimandrite Oleg, the organizer of parishes in the Thai diocese, where eleven churches and one monastery have already been built, shared the joy of common prayer with us.
In Southeast Asia is the hardest mission of the Russian Orthodox Church. If someone had told me 15 years ago that Orthodoxy would flourish in Asia far away for us, I would not have believed it, but today the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia includes over 80 parishes. And all this by the grace of God and by the labours, cares and prayers of the bishops of the Exarchate.
God is never wrong. If a person sincerely believed that God guides everything in our life, he would see through his life experience, that even sometimes via pain, a state of abandonment, the Lord leads us to salvation.”

Metropolitan Varsonofy of St. Petersburg and Ladoga met with foreign students of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. The meeting was attended by applicants of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa from Nigeria, the Central African Republic, Madagascar, Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya, the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia from the Philippines and Indonesia. His Eminence congratulated everyone on the holidays of Christmas and Epiphany, and gave a parting archpastoral word. The group of students was accompanied by the rector of the Academy, Bishop Siluan of Peterhof.

On January 20, a meeting of foreign students of the Theological Academy with Priest Jacob Smuts (South Africa) took place in the classroom of the missionary department of the St. Petersburg Diocese. During the meeting, Father Jacob spoke about his life path and practical experience of conducting missionary work in Africa.

On the day of the memory of St. Pavel of Komel (Obnorsky), we congratulate our dear Vladyka Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi on his Heavenly Patron Saint feast!

On February 2-20, 2023, after a long break due to restrictions caused by coronavirus infection, Metropolitan Pavel of Khanty-Mansiysk and Surgut, the Administrator of the Philippine-Vietnamese diocese, will pay an archpastoral visit to the Philippines.

Visits to parishes in different provinces are planned. Metropolitan Pavel will visit a number of Orthodox communities on the island of Mindanao, where he will perform divine services and hold a diocesan meeting of the clergy and laity of the Philippine–Vietnamese diocese. A number of ordinations of clerics of the Philippine–Vietnamese Diocese will also take place.

During his archpastoral trip, Metropolitan Paul will visit the island of Tubabao (Philippines) where the foundation stone was consecrated at the construction site of the church of St. John, Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco.

As part of the archpastoral trip to the Republic of the Philippines, the Administrator of the Philippine—Vietnamese Diocese will also hold working meetings with representatives of the state authorities of the cities of the Republic, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of the Philippines M. Pavlov and employees of the diplomatic corps of the Russian Federation, representatives of the clergy of the Roman Catholic Church.

The clergy and flock of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese cordially congratulate our dear Bishop Metropolitan Pavel on his 67th birthday. We sincerely wish him good health, providential help from above in everything, and look forward to his visit soon. Many years!

Beloved in the Lord archpastors, all-honourable presbyters and deacons, God-loving monks and nuns, dear brothers and sisters!

Today, as the Heavenly and earthly Church in conciliar unity glorifies God Incarnate, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you on the great and radiant feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Once again we look back at the events that occurred in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago, beholding the meek Infant lying in the manger, surrounded by His Most Pure Mother, the righteous Joseph and the shepherds who were the first to hear the good news of the Saviour coming into the world. We join the heavenly hosts in praising the Most High Creator Who through His Begotten Son granted unto people peace and good will. St. Gregory the Theologian reveals the very essence of this feast, saying: we are triumphant today because God has come to mankind… for we might go back to God (Oration 38). Truly, the Kingdom of heaven is at hand (Mt 3:2); the long-expected Reconciler (Gen 49:10) has come to earth to fulfil the ancient prophecies; unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given… and His name shall be called… The mighty God, The Father of eternity, The Prince of Peace (Is 9:6). Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you (Jn 14:27), Christ says to us. What kind of peace is it, which the Lord granted unto man and which the angels were singing of at the time of the Saviour’s birth? Has there been less enmity or conflicts in the world since then? We hear all around: peace, peace; but there is no peace, as Jeremiah the prophet writes (Jer 8:11). Yet, the true peace of God that came down to earth with the Nativity of Christ surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7) and is unaffected by external circumstances or afflictions and hardships of this transient life. This invincible inner peace is in God Himself Who, having become a man like us in all things but sin, is not only active, but visibly present in the human history. The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (Jn 1:14). The Lord is at hand, let us never forget that and be of good cheer! In Him is our strength, our firm hope and spiritual comfort in all troubles of life. Venerating the miracle of the Divine Incarnation in its humble greatness and magnifying the Saviour Who came into the world, we at the same time cannot but be troubled by the ongoing hostilities overshadowing the holy Christmas festivities, for, as St. Paul notes, whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it (1 Cor 12:26). In the midst of all the hardships that have befallen the peoples of the historical Rus’ it is of utmost importance for us to demonstrate in deeds our dedication to our Christian vocation and show love for one another. Sometimes it may seem that good is weak and helpless and that the little things we do cannot make a difference. But it is not true. There is an indisputable principle of spiritual life: love is multiplied when we devote ourselves to others, offering our time, financial help or just attention. Thus not only do we transform the world around us, but also find something precious within ourselves. In this simple but effective principle there lies a secret of genuine peace and real happiness that every person strives to achieve. This happiness is not to be found in far-distant lands, as some people think, chasing after illusions of material welfare and a life without sorrows. The true happiness is in sharing love and joy with those around and by good works glorifying God, Who became incarnate that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly (Jn 10:10). When we let Christ in and allow Him to act in us, the blessed peace and rest come to reign in our soul (Mt 11:29), and we become partakers of the kingdom of God which is within us (Lk 17:21). Do we want to embrace the Born Lord? If so, let us embrace the afflicted and comfort the suffering. Do we want to touch Christ and be like the wise men from the East bringing the gifts pleasing unto the Divine Infant? If so, let us give our love and care to our fellow human beings, show mercy and help the needy and support those who have lost heart. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me” (Mt 25:40), the Saviour says. St. Ephraim the Syrian calls Christmas the night of reconcilement that stills all. Daringly, he exclaims: this night belongs to the Meek One, let high or haughty be in it none! In this day of pardoning let us not remember sins against us! In this day of gladnesses let us not spread sadnesses! (Hymns on the Nativity, 1). Let us take heed of these amazing words of the “Syrian desert prophet” and open our hearts towards the Lord Who became incarnate for our sake. Let us rejoice, for the King and Lord of the universe Himself came meekly down to earth in order to grant unto us salvation and eternal life. So, responding with gratitude to the great love of the Creator, let us sanctify our souls by patiently enduring ordeals, as well as by heartfelt prayer and good works to the glory of God. Once again I extend my felicitations to all of you, my dears, on the radiant feast of the Nativity of Christ, wishing you strength in body and spirit and generous help from the Divine Infant Jesus, and wishing unceasing joy and welfare to your families. May the Creator, Lover of mankind, the True Lord of history, show His mercy on His peoples and bless us all with peace so that with one mouth and one heart we give praise to the Incarnate Saviour, bearing an earnest witness that God is with us!

+KIRILL

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA

Christmas 2022/2023

Moscow

Most reverend archpastors, all-honorable fathers,
beloved brothers and sisters!

On this radiant day, I cordially greet all of you on the feast of the Nativity of Christ!
Today, people joyfully sing praises to the Lord, who for the sake of our salvation humbled Himself, became one of us, and thereby united all those who awaited His advent. In the present time the true unity of believers in Christ is especially important for each of us. The Lord asked His Father specifically for this unity, the entire fullness of the Church prays for it fervently, and the hearts of all who suffer from divisions, who love their neighbors and who want to be peacemakers and be called sons of God (Matt. 5, 9) are anguished. It is no coincidence that the word peace is so often found in the Gospel: the Saviour left His peace to the apostles, He met them with the greeting, peace be unto you, after the Resurrection – and it is not for nothing that this blessing sounds in our Church at every divine service.
What is required of us in the present difficult time, what contribution can we make to the establishment of peace and unity? Firstly, it is important not to give in to despondency and keep the strength of faith – the foundation without which it is impossible to build a life full of true meaning and spiritual joy. Secondly, it is necessary to devote your time not to endless reading and discussion of the news, escalating the situation, but to visit the temple of God and not lessen in prayer, working in good faith at the place of service where the Lord has set us. Thirdly, we need to perform deeds of mercy, treat our neighbors with patience and love, encourage the disheartened and support the weak, showing sympathy, benevolence and tenderness, in all of which may the Saviour who came into the world strengthen us.
Greeting you again and again on the feast of the Nativity of Christ, I wish all of you spiritual and bodily strength, peace and joy, prosperity and the generous help of the Merciful Lord, in Whom the whole visible and invisible world today spiritually rejoices.

+SERGIY

Metropolitan of Singapore and South-East Asia, Patriarchal Exarch of South-East Asia