On February 21, 2020, Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi, the Administrator of The Philippine-Vietnamese diocese, celebrated the divine Liturgy in the church in honor of St. Matrona of Moscow in Davao city.

With his Eminence concelebrated: Hieromonk Cornelius (Molev), Secretary of the Philippine-Vietnamese diocese, Hieromonk Alexei (Lapshin), priest of the parish of the Iveron icon of the Mother of God in Manila, priest David Grubbs, rector of the parish of Christ the Saviour in Tagaytay (Philippines), and deacon Daniel Matveev, cleric of the Resurrection Cathedral of Khanty-Mansiysk.

During the Liturgy, Metropolitan Pavel ordained the head of the parish of St. Nicholas in Cayupo (Philippines) sub-deacon Matthew Sale to deacon.

At the end of the service, Metropolitan Pavel performed the Sacrament of Baptism.

On February 20 Metropolitan of Manila and Hanoi Pavel, The Administrator of the Philippine-Vietnamese diocese, sanctified the Cross and the Foundation Stone in place of construction of the new Saint Apostle Thomas’ temple in Kinabalan settlement (Mindanao island, the Philippine Republic).

The Secretary of the Philippine-Vietnamese diocese priestmonk Kornilij (Molev), the Head of the Parish of Saint John of Shanhai in Santa-Maria (Philippines) priest Siluan Thompson, the Clergyman of the Parish of Kazan’s icon of Virgin Mary in Vungtau (Vietnam) priest Evgenij Czukalo, the Clergyman of the Parish of Saint Matrona of Moscow priest Ioakim Gonzalez, the Secretary of the Administrator of Khanty-Mansiisk’s diocese priestmonk Antonij (Kirpichev), the Dean of the Surgut’s town deanery archpriest Antonij Isakov, the Dean of the Nizhnevartovsk’s town deanery archpriest Sergij Shevchenko, the Clergyman of the Cathedral of Saint Resurrection of Khanty-Mansiisk’s diocese deacon Daniil Matveev and the citizens of the settlement took part in this event.

After the consecration Metropolitan Pavel said: «Dear brethren and sisters! We came here to pray to God and ask Him for His blessing for sanctification of the Foundation Stone in place of construction of the new temple and for hoisting the Holy Cross. I am very glad we are going to do this God’s work and ask the Lord for His blessing for construction of this temple. The building project of this temple will be printed and given by father Kornilij to father Ioakim. It gives you a possibility to imagine how this holy temple will look like. I want you to pray to God to bless the building of His Home here. I want to give you as a present the icon of Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ for this temple and I hope we will give Him our lives and will be in Him and now, and in eternity. I also want that all people, who come into this temple and take part in Church’s sacraments, will have spiritual healing and contact with God and will be able to find the way to their salvation. Let’s pray about it».

On February 20, the Administrator of the Philippine-Vietnamese diocese Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi met with the Councilor of Davao city Mme Pilar Brago. During the meeting, the issues of land allocation for the construction of the spiritual and educational center of the Russian Orthodox Church in Davao were discussed. The city Consulor expressed her readiness to provide all possible assistance in resolving this issue.

On February 20, Metropolitan of Manila and Hanoi Pavel celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Saint Matrona’s church in Davao-city. The Secretary of the Philippine-Vietnamese diocese priestmonk Korniliy (Molev), the head of the parish of St John of Shanghai in Santa-Maria (Mindanao) priest Siluan Thompson, the clergyman of the parish of Kazan’s icon of Virgin Mary in Vung Tau (Vietnam) priest Evgenij Zukalo, the Secretary of the Administrator of Khanty-Mansiisk’s diocese priestmonk Antoniy (Kirpichev), the Dean of the Surgut’s town deanery archpriest Antoniy Isakov, the Dean of the Nizhnevarovsk’s deanery archpriest Sergiy Shevchenko, the clergyman of Resurrection Cathedral (Khanty-Mansiisk’s diocese) deacon Daniil Matveev concelebrated His Eminence. During the Liturgy Metropolitan Pavel ordained the churchwarden of the parish of St John of Shanghai in Santa-Maria subdeacon John Mahinai to the rank of deacon.

Today, on February 19, 2020, Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi arrived in the Republic of the Philippines on the island of Mindanao.

In Francisco Bangoy airport of Davao city Metropolitan Pavel was met by the Secretary of the Filipino-Vietnamese diocese Hieromonk Korniliy (Molev), clergyman of the parish in honour of Kazan icon of Mother of God of Vung Tau (Vietnam) priest Eugene Zukalo and the nun Maria (Buniel).

The visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Pavel to the Republic of the Philippines will last until February 25. During this time, he is to visit the parishes in Manila, Davao, Arakan, Makalangot, Kinabalu, Banat, General Santos and Alabel.

During the archpastoral visit, the administrator of the Philippine-Vietnamese diocese will perform 5 diaconal ordinations.

On February 21, Metropolitan Paul will celebrate the divine Liturgy in honor of St. Matrona of Moscow, Davao city. On February 22, a diocesan meeting is scheduled in Arakan with the participation of the clergy of Mindanao. On February 23, in Makalangot, the Administrator of the Philippine-Vietnamese diocese will celebrate the divine Liturgy and blessing of the newly built church in honor of St. Seraphim of Sarov. On the same day, in Kinabalan, the blessing of the future church building will take place. On February 24, the divine Liturgy will be celebrated in the church in honor of St. Isidore of Rostov in Alabel. On February 25, in the capital of the Republic of the Philippines, Manila, Metropolitan Pavel will lead the divine Liturgy in the church in honor of the Iveron icon of the Mother of God.

During the archpastoral trip to the Republic of the Philippines, the Administrator of the Philippine — Vietnamese diocese will hold working meetings with representatives of the state authorities of cities and localities of the Republic and employees of the diplomatic corps of the Russian Federation.

Metropolitan Pavel is accompanied by: the Secretary of the Khanty-Mansi diocese, Hieromonk Anthony (Kirpichev); the Dean of the Surgut city deanery of the Khanty-Mansi diocese, Archpriest Anthony Isakov; the Dean of the Nizhnevartovsk city deanery of the Khanty-Mansi diocese, Archpriest Sergiy Shevchenko; and the cleric of the Resurrection Cathedral of the Khanty-Mansiysk diocese, deacon Daniel Matveev.

On February 19-25, 2020, the Administrator of the Philippine-Vietnamese diocese, Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi will pay archpastoral visit to the Republic of the Philippines. His Eminence will attend the parishes in Manila, Davao, Arakan, Makalangot, Kinabalan, Banat, General Santos and Alabel; 5 deacon ordinations being in schedule.

On February 21, Metropolitan Pavel will celebrate the divine Liturgy in the parish of St. Matrona of Moscow in Davao city. On February 22, a diocesan meeting is scheduled in Arakan with the participation of the clergy of the diocese. On February 23, in Makalangot, the Administrator of the Philippine-Vietnamese diocese will celebrate the divine Liturgy and blessing of the newly built church in honor of the venerable Seraphim of Sarov. On the same day, the blessing of the foundation stone of the future temple will take place in Kinabalan. On February 24, the divine Liturgy will be celebrated in the parish of St. Isidore of  Rostov in Alabel. On February 25, in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, Archpastor will lead the festal divine Liturgy in the parish of the lveron icon of the Mother of God.

As well, during his visit his Eminence will hold working meetings with municipal authorities and Russian diplomats.

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Reference: by the decision Of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of August 30, 2019 (journal # 97), his Grace Metropolitan Pavel of Khanty-Mansi and Surgut, in addition to the present obedience, was entrusted to rule the Philippine-Vietnamese diocese of the Patriarchal Exarchate of South-East Asia with the title “Metropolitan of Manila and Hanoi” within this diocese.

The Philippine-Vietnamese diocese was established by the decision of the Holy Synod of February 26, 2019 (journal # 8) within the Republic of the Philippines and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, with the title of diocesan Bishop “of Manila and Hanoi”. It is included in the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia.