The Secretary of the Diocese Hieromonk Korniliy (Molev) and Priest Moses Kahilig performed a memorial service at the cemetery of Guiuan, where Russian refugees who fled from China in 1949 from the persecution of Communists are buried. A prayer service was held with the akathist to St John of Shanghai at the place where the refugees were staying on the island of Tubabao. John of Shanghai was the spiritual mentor of the Russian community.

On May 31 the “Round-the-world” icon of the Intercession of the Mother of God completed its journey through the Orthodox Philippines by visiting the parish of Christ the Savior in Tagaytay. Among the pious Christians who found an opportunity to come to Tagaytay on a working day to honor the icon and the accompanying shrines were representatives of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, as well as a number of non-canonical churches. Tomorrow the icon will leave for Japan, and other shrines (particles of the Life-Giving Cross, of the Veil of the Mother of God and of 20 relics of saints) will be temporarily available for worship at the parish of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God in Manila until they are distributed to the parishes of the diocese. On June 10, the shrines will visit the parish of St. Nicholas on the island of Cebu.

On May 29, the icon of the Intercession of the Mother of God with other shrines completed its journey through Mindanao Island, after Arakan visiting the parishes of the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov in Makalangot and St. Apostles Peter and Paul in Salasan.

On May 29, on the 6th Sunday of Easter, the wedding of our parishioners Sergius and Mary was performed at the parish in honor of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God in Manila after the Divine Liturgy. From the bride’s side, invited relatives and friends attended the sacraments; for them visiting an Orthodox church was an important event in their lives. We wish the new family to become a true home church.

On May 28 the “Round-the-world” icon of the Intercession of the Mother of God, particles of the Holy Cross and relics of the saints arrived in the Northern Deanery of Mindanao. They were offered to the parishioners of the churches of St. Isidore in Meokan, of St. Equal-to-the-Apostles Elena in Little Baguio, of St. Anna in Malibatuan, of Archangel Michael in Mahongok and of the Nativity of the Virgin in Arakan.