By the decree of the President of the Russian Federation V. Putin No. 732 of November 23, 2020, the head of Khanty-Mansi and Philippines-Vietnamese dioceses Metropolitan Pavel was awarded a medal “For merits before Fatherland” of the II degree. The high state award was awarded “for a great contribution to the preservation and development of spiritual, moral and cultural traditions, long – term fruitful activity”.
On November 22, 2020, in Saint Petersburg, Metropolitan Pavel met with students of the Philippine-Vietnamese diocese who are studying at the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy.
The Archpastor told the students about pastoral service and shared his experience.
Students asked Vladyka questions about the spiritual life of a priest, humility, repentance, and communication with parishioners, and also discussed issues related to further training of seminarians.
Your Holiness!
Dear Master and gracious Father!
I offer You my heartfelt congratulations and prayerful well-wishes on Your birthday, on my behalf and on behalf of the fullness of our flock.
From Your youth, You have dedicated Your life to the service of God and his Holy Church. Your pious parents, Archpriest Michael and mother Raisa, whom we always commemorate in prayers, brought You up in the best traditions of the Orthodox faith, which You, Your Holiness, have kept faithful throughout Your life.
And now, during all the trials that the Orthodox Christian world is destined to go through, You remain faithful to the canons of the Mother Church and its Sacred Tradition. By the Providence of God, You are entrusted with a great responsibility – to be a guiding star to the gates of Heavenly Jerusalem for the numerous flock under Your care. Your prayers, Your wise guidance, and Your relentless appeals inspire millions of the faithful to stand for the truth and not to be afraid of the challenges of the world.
On this significant day, we prayerfully wish that in all Your Pontifical labors for the glory of God, He will grant You inexhaustible spiritual strength, good and perfect health, long life, and the grace-giving divine mercy. We pray for Your health at the shrines of our diocese and ask the Lord to use His right hand to direct Your efforts to save people and help fill the world with light, love and goodness.
Asking For your Holy prayers and the Primate’s blessing,
Your Holiness’ the humble novice,
PAVEL
Metropolitan of Khanty-Mansi and Surgut/ Manila and Hanoi
The Department of charity and social service of the diocese of the Philippines and Vietnam, with its center in Tagaytay, publishes almost daily reports on its activities on the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/ROC.Charity.Philippines/
Under quarantine, it’s difficult but very topical to assure the work of feeding programs for poor people in every parish, especially in Mindanao. Thanks to donations, we were able to restart children’s programs that also feed poor mothers and the elderly. In addition, donations were used to pay for medical expenses for parishioners.
Assistance is also being provided for the construction of a school for mountain tribes on Mindoro island.
In October and November, several powerful typhoons hit the Northern Philippines, injuring tens of thousands of people. The Department provided material assistance to victims in the provinces of Batangas, Quezon and Cavite.
On November, 13, in the church of St Serafim of Sarov (Makalangot, N. Cotabato), after evening prayers, parishioners found on 4 icons: the Savior, the Holy Virgin, St Joasaph of Belgorod and St Tatiana drops similar to oil. At first they thought it was water and wiped them off, but next morning drops appeared again. Not knowing anything about the miracle of myrrh-streaming icons, the parishioners realized that something wonderful was happening, and invited deacon Nicholas and priest Moses. The clergy carefully checked the icons and came to the conclusion that these drops could not have appeared randomly or from people. After that, they carefully collected the myrrh from the icons and reported the incident to Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi. Having studied the phenomenon, Vladyka said that this is ” a Miracle of God, the Lord testifies that He is with us.”
Myrrh-streaming is the appearance on an icon or Holy relics of a light oily liquid of protein composition, often emitting a fragrance. The icons themselves can even be paper, as happened in our case. Note that the temple in Makalangot is the only one in the Philippines, consecrated by Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church (Metropolitan of Manila and Hanoi Pavel).
*Saint Joasaph of Belgorod (1705-1754) is one of the few saints of God whose relics and even Episcopal vestments are completely incorrupt. They are located in the Cathedral of Belgorod.
There are many interesting people among us with a good set of useful knowledge. I’m sure that children would be interested in talking to them and learning something about the country where they have lived most of their lives (Vietnam); how to give first aid to themselves and each other; how to drive ships; how to make interesting videos; about music, mathematics, physics, chemistry, Russian, English and Vietnamese, plants, nutrition, maybe even honey!
Yesterday, November 13, a meeting was held in the refectory of our church for children and everyone. It was conducted by our parishioner – Maxim Chekmarev, translator of the office of JV Vietsovpetro.
Everyone listened with interest, asked questions, ate fruit and drank tea!
On November, 12, in the midst of the strongest for 11 years rainfall, in the Christ the Saviour parish in Tagaytay the blessing of the chapel bell was performed. The bell had been brought earlier from Russia.
The ceremony was held by the Secretary of the Philippino- Vietnamese diocese hieromonk Korniliy (Molev) who is paying a visit to the parish, and the rector of the parish priest David Grubbs.
Let every breath praise the Lord!
November 4 is the feast of the Kazan icon of the Mother of God. In Vietnam, Vung Tau is a patronal holiday.
On the eve of the holiday, a all-night vigil was served, and a Liturgy in the morning. In the evening – the akathist to the most Holy Theotokos. After the evening service, the parish celebrated its patronal holiday with a tea party.
