And happy Patronal Feast of the Heavenly bodiless Hosts to our brothers and sisters in Mahongkog!

With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi, the Secretary of the diocese, Hieromonk Korniliy (Molev), met with the Mayor of the city of Guiuan, Mrs. Annalisa Kwan. During the meeting, the possibility of building an Orthodox church on Tubabao island in memory of the Russian refugees who stayed on this island for three years was discussed. During the pastoral visit, which became possible for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic due to the weakening of quarantine measures, Hieromonk Korniliy performed a prayer service on the island of Tubabao, on the site of the camp of Russian refugees, and a litany at the cemetery where Russian compatriots who died during their stay in the Philippines were buried.

The blessing of the dome and the cross completed the renovation of the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Banate. The previous temple was almost completely destroyed by termites. Together with the renovation of the building, a dome with a cross was built on the temple for the first time. The rite was performed by Hieromonk Korniliy (Molev), Secretary of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese, together with priest Joachim Gonzalez and priest Roman Buniel. God willing, more and more Orthodox temples in the Philippines will acquire their domes.

Divine Liturgy on the patron feast of the parish of St. Apostle Thomas, Kinabalan, Sarangani Province, Philippines.

We magnify thee, the apostle of Christ Thomas, and we honour thy illnesses and labours, as you ministered preaching the word of Christ!

On the feast of the Presentation of the Mother of God, Father Roman Buniel and his assistants went to one of the remote parishes of the General Santos Deanery. They traveled all the way on motorcycles. The priest made a brief note about the memorable and sometimes dangerous journey: “Half a year of waiting is over and finally we are here to celebrate the Liturgy and help our brothers and sisters to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, and then, together, celebrate the feast of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. In Mindanao, it is a challenge to travel on a motorcycle for long distances (about 100 km) in places off-road. Our entire team was exhausted. We had to make stops to rest. But this is a pleasant way, because today I celebrated my name day together with those who have always supported me, even in such a difficult and risky situations.- I thank God for allowing me to be His servant, even though I am unworthy,- Thanks to my matushka, who did not talk about fatigue and was with me today,- Thanks to Deacon Matthew, Dimitri and Aria, who sacrificed a lot today to have traveled 200 km on a motorcycle to make sure that we returned home safe and sound. Thank you all! May the Lord bless everyone who devotes himself to service and embarks on such difficult journeys.”

We can only imagine that we spent this day together and prayerfully congratulate Father Roman from our hearts on Angel Day!