On December 31, 2021, Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi performed a prayer service for the New Year in the Resurrection Cathedral of Khanty-Mansiysk.
His Eminence was co-served by the clergy of Khanty-Mansiysk and the clergy of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese: Hierodeacon John (Gondayao), Deacon Nicholas Salgado, Deacon Ambrose Sumagaysay.
Before the beginning of the service, Metropolitan Pavel addressed the audience:
“Dear fathers, brothers and sisters, allow me to greet you from my heart, with the beginning of the new year of the goodness of the Lord. Our country lives according to this calendar, and today I would like to express my gratitude to the Almighty, our Lord, Who keeps us and peace on the earth, gives us the strength to carry obediences to which the Lord has set us. Regardless of church or state positions, each of us works, glorifying his Heavenly Creator, thanking for every day he has lived. Thank God for everything, for sorrow and for joy, for both are for salvation. And God grant that everything is for the salvation of our souls, that we do everything in order to save our soul. Help us, Lord, to be Your followers, to walk on the saving path, may our Lord bless the year of the Lord’s goodness, into which we are entering, so that the mercy and help of God will help and accompany each of us. We pray to God, Who is peace and all-embracing love, and ask for blessings for the new year.”
A litia for the departed was also performed for the newly deceased Archpriest Nikolai Gundyaev, honorary rector of the Transfiguration Cathedral of St. Petersburg.
At the end , the bishop noted:
“God, give rest to the newly reposed Archpriest Nicholas. Modest and quiet, so you can characterize him. He taught the teachings of the holy fathers to many people at the academy and seminary. And, of course, his preaching was simply unique. When he preached, everyone came out of the altar and listened very attentively, the silence was complete in the cathedral. No one spoke like that. Eternal memory.”
