On September 17, the 15th Sunday after Pentecost, the secretary of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese, Hieromonk Korniliy (Molev), celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the parish in honor of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God in Manila, in the concelebration of the cleric of the Iveron parish, Priest Agustin Ponferrada. Three Filipino students who were going to Russia to study in theological schools also prayed at the service. Also, two new parishioners have passed the rite of catechism. On the same day, a prayer service was held on the island of Panglao for the beginning of the construction of the temple in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear”. The benefactors of the Iveron parish took part in it.

On September 9, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in Nha Trang. It is always nice to see both regular and new worshippers. The Russian Orthodox Church in Vietnam now has four parishes (in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang and Vung Tau), but so far only one priest. Since the main parish is in Vung Tau, services at other parishes are performed as regularly as possible (taking into account the considerable distances between cities), therefore each such service is a special feast for believers.

September 9 in Lawigue (Tayabas) the Divine Liturgy was celebrated. The service was conducted by Priest Augustine Ponferrada. After the service, the volunteers of the diocesan Department for Charity and Social Service and the FMI Foundation organized a charity lunch and distribution of humanitarian aid.

On September 3, parishioners of the Dormition parish in the village of Banate, Mindanao, gathered in the temple for joint prayer. Most recently, the parish celebrated the patronal feast – this is noticeable by the carefully decorated church. After the Typica, the faithful held a meeting to evaluate the results of recent preparations for the celebration of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary and discussed further plans, development and activities of the parish.

On September 5, a prayer service for the beginning of the new school year was held in the church in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Vung Tau. We also prayed for those students who live in other cities of Vietnam. God bless you, dear students, teachers and parents! Happy New school year!