August 1, 2023, feast of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov, is the patronal feast at the Parish of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, Makalangot, Cotabato. Divine Liturgy with priests Moses Cahilig, Nicholas Salgado, Ambrose Sumagaysay, deacons Raphael Frajillo, Anthony Aranco, and Juventinus Bulaqueña.
Category Archives: Parish News
Youth camp
For the first time since the pandemic, an annual Orthodox youth camp was held on Mindanao Island, where more than 40 participants gathered. This time the camping was done in an elementary school in Salasang. The main feature of this place is that there is no mobile signal. So the youth had to disconnect from the phone and start communicating in the real world. It is also quite cold there at night (+22 °), which for many participants was the first experience of cold weather. The experience of such camps is always extremely positive, young people learn more about Orthodoxy, learn to help in worship, and get to know each other, which is very important in a non-Orthodox environment. Everyone parted with sadness and with tears in their eyes, even though they froze at night.
The camp program included not only lectures about faith, but was also filled with activities like sports and talent presentations. Throughout the week-long camp the youths not only broadened their knowledge about faith and the Church, but also deepened their connection and camaraderie. On Saturday night and Sunday morning the youths participated in the services, during which they chanted, read, and assisted the clergy.The camp concluded with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy led by the Diocesan secretary – hieromonk Korniliy (Molev) and was assisted by deacon Anthony Aranco and deacon Juventinus Bulaqueña. We send our heartfelt gratitude to those who supported the endeavors of the event especially to the faithful of Apostles Peter and Paul Parish, Salasang, Cotabato and also to the head and staff of Salasang Elementary School, which served as the camp venue.
The Holy Protection Parish returns to the One True Church.
By the blessing of His Eminence Pavel, Metropolitan of Manila and Hanoi the Parish in Honor of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, Polomolok, South Cotabato was accepted back to the flock of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The said parish was once a part of the “Autonomous Orthodox Metropolia of North and South America and the British Isles”. The parishioners, upon realizing that they belong in schism, wrote a request to His Eminence Pavel to accept them in his Philippine flock.
On July 15, 2023 the service of accepting the Holy Protection Parish was led by hieromonk Korniliy – the Secretary of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese, together with priest Roman Buniel – Dean of the General Santos Deanery. After the service of acceptance the faithful prayed together in the service of All-Night Vigil. The next day – July 16,2023 hieromonk Korniliy together with priest Roman Buniel led the service of Divine Liturgy in which the faithful recieved the True Body and Blood of Christ.
May the Lord grant many years to our brothers and sisters in the Holy Protection Parish!
Feast of the Holy Apostles
July 12, 2023, feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. It is a Patronal feast at the Parish of Apostles Peter and Paul in Salasang, Cotabato. Divine Liturgy was headed by Hieromonk Korniliy (Molev), with priests Moses Cahilig, Nicholas Salgado and Ambrose Sumagaysay, deacons Anthony Aranco, and Raphael Frajillo.
Cross is installed
The cross on the dome on the church of St. Seraphim in Makalangot is installed. Maybe you remember how hard it was to lift the dome. We had planned to make the cross from the same material (titanium nitride), but it ended and we made a temporary painted one. While waiting for the transfer from Russia, they made a ball under the cross which turned out to be a difficult task… And now the Cross is in its place and everything is in the same style.