On November 22, 2024, on the day of the icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear”, Metropolitan Pavel of Khanty-Mansiysk and Surgut, Administrator of the Philippines-Vietnamese Diocese, held a prayer service in the church under construction in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” on the island of Panglao in the Republic of the Philippines. The prayer service was attended by: Secretary of the Philippines-Vietnamese Diocese Hieromonk Korniliy (Molev), Dean of the Manila District of the Philippines-Vietnamese Diocese Hieromonk Alexei (Lapshin), Secretary of the Khanty-Mansiysk Diocese Hegumen Anthony (Kirpichev), Dean of the Nizhnevartovsk City Deanery of the Khanty-Mansiysk Diocese Archpriest Sergiy Shevchenko, Deacon Daniil Matveyev, Orthodox Christians living on the island. At the end of the service, the bishop performed the rite of consecration of the cross on the central dome of the church under construction. Metropolitan Pavel also checked the construction of the church.

On November 21, 2024, a diocesan meeting of the clergy of the Philippines-Vietnam Diocese was held at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Municipality of Arakan, chaired by the Administrator of the Diocese, Metropolitan Pavel. All the priests of the parishes of the churches of the island of Mindanao attended the meeting, and priests from other islands of the Philippines and the clergy ministering to parishes in Vietnam joined them online. The meeting began with a report by the deans on the state of affairs in the deaneries entrusted to them, with special attention paid to the specifics of the process of registration of land plots. The Administrator of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese proposed releasing the Secretary of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese, Hieromonk Korniliy (Molev), from his duties as Chairman of the Department for Catechesis and Education, expressing gratitude for his efforts, and appointing Hieromonk John (Gondayao) as Chairman of the Diocesan Department. The third issue on the agenda of the diocesan meeting was the Church Court. Bishop Pavel told the participants of the meeting about the rules of the Church Court, whose functions had until now been performed by the diocesan council. Since this was a temporary measure, and, according to the Charter, the functions of the Church Court should be separated from the activities of the diocesan council, the bishop proposed electing members of the Church Court. The Church Court of the Philippines-Vietnam Diocese included: Hieromonk Korniliy (Molev), Secretary of the Philippines-Vietnam Diocese, Hieromonk Alexei (Lapshin), Dean of the Manila Deanery, Hegumen Micah (Selyakov), Rector of the Church of St. Xenia of Petersburg in Hanoi (Vietnam), Dean of the Kotabato Deanery, Priest Moses Kahilig, and Dean of the General-Santovsky Deanery, Priest Roman (Buniel).

On November 21, 2024, on the feast of the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and other Bodiless Heavenly Ghosts, Metropolitan Pavel of Khanty-Mansiysk and Surgut, Administrator of the Philippines-Vietnam Diocese, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the municipality of Arakan, in the province of Cotabato, Philippines. Before the service, Metropolitan Pavel delivered an icon of Seraphim of Sarov with a particle of the saint’s relics to the church. The icon was transferred to the Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov, located in the settlement of Makalangot on the island of Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines, in response to the petition of Metropolitan Pavel, with the blessing of Metropolitan Georgiy of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas, from the Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveyevo Convent for the worship of the faithful of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese.

His Eminence was assisted by: Secretary of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese Hieromonk Korniliy (Molev), Secretary of the Khanty-Mansiysk Diocese Hegumen Anthony (Kirpichev), Dean of the Nizhnevartovsk City Deanery of the Khanty-Mansiysk Diocese Archpriest Sergiy Shevchenko, clergy of the island of Mindanao. The deacon’s rank was headed by Deacon Daniil Matveyev. Special petitions were offered at the litany of supplication, Bishop Pavel read a prayer for Holy Rus’. During the Liturgy, Metropolitan Pavel ordained reader Dmitry Kahilig to the rank of deacon and performed the chirothesia of reader and subdeacon Luka Tababa. At the end of the service, the archpastor addressed those gathered: “Dear fathers, brothers and sisters! Today we celebrated the Divine Liturgy in this holy church on this special day when we celebrate the Synaxis of Archangel Michael and all the Heavenly Bodiless Ghosts. I thank you all for your common prayers and, of course, I cannot help but rejoice together with the newly ordained deacon Dmitry, who received the rank of deacon today. He studied in Russia, graduated from the seminary, is now studying at the academy by correspondence, and, of course, I am glad that there is one more cleric, a sacred deacon, who will bear the obedience of enlightening the flock here. We understand that we, as a diocese, as all the clergy, and the flock, still need to work hard on ourselves in order to truly become a strong, good diocese and a strong big Orthodox family. And we see in this the great providence of our Lord God Jesus Christ, who gives us all the opportunities, gives us everything so that we can pray with you today, celebrate the Divine Liturgy, enlighten the people in the true Orthodox Faith. Isn’t this the mercy of God? Of course, the immeasurable mercy of our Lord, who enlightens all of us! At my request, the Metropolitan of Nizhny Novgorod, who serves where the relics of Seraphim of Sarov are, blessed us to allocate a particle of the relics with an icon for our church, which is dedicated to St Seraphim of Sarov. Today I am ready to transfer this shrine with a particle of the relics of Seraphim of Sarov to this church which is dedicated to this great Russian saint. l congratulate Father Nikolai, the rector of this church, because this icon and relics are transferred to him, to his church. This is truly a shrine for us, a great saint who lived not so long ago and, of course, glorified the Lord with his service, was honored to be a saint and to perform great and wondrous miracles not only during his life, but also after his blessed death, from his holy relics. l am very glad to share the liturgical joy with you, and of course, not only to take communion, but also to communicate in such a short period of time, but we thank the Lord that He gave us such an opportunity to meet together today. Well, I want to say that the construction of the church is being completed in Panglao, we will go to see it, maybe some additions, changes need to be made, and also meet with the flock, and then, in Manila, we will serve the Divine Liturgy. We are preparing to perform the deacon’s ordination of Luka, our student, who also studied in Russia, and I hope will be a worthy servant of the altar of the Lord. And we have two more students-graduates from the St. Petersburg Theological Seminary – Stefan and Kirill, who will also be ordained in Russia and will come after graduation as priests. So our diocese will have four more clergy, which is great. Once again, I thank everyone for the common prayers, and I would like to give everyone an icon of the new martyrs of Russia, and also, the Sunday school of Nizhnevartovsk prepared today, on the day of Archangel Michael and the cathedral, figurines of angels like these for everyone. May the Lord protect everyone!”

The Bishop handed everyone an icon of the new martyrs and confessors of the Russian Church and figurines in the form of angels made by the students of the Sunday school of the Church of the Nativity of Christ in Nizhnevartovsk.

On November 20, 2024, Metropolitan Pavel visited the missionary center in honor of Blessed Matrona of Moscow in Davao City. Upon arrival at the center, the administrator of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese performed a thanksgiving service to the Lord God on the birthday of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’. The bishop was assisted by: Secretary of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese Hieromonk Korniliy (Molev), Secretary of the Khanty-Mansiysk Diocese Hegumen Anthony (Kirpichev), Dean of the Nizhnevartovsk City Deanery of the Khanty-Mansiysk Diocese Archpriest Sergiy Shevchenko, and Deacon Daniil Matveyev. At the end of the thanksgiving service, Metropolitan Pavel addressed those gathered: “I thank everyone for their common prayers, may the All-Merciful Lord keep our Most Holy Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ Kirill in good health, in long life, and, of course, may He not leave us without His mercy! The Lord says, “Ask, and it will be given to you, knock, and the door will be opened.” Let us hope for the mercy and help of our Lord Jesus Christ, may the Lord protect everyone! During the current, although not very long, trip, we have a large program ahead of us: to hold a diocesan meeting with the clergy, to resolve many diocesan issues, to perform two deacon ordinations. It is imperative to hold meetings with those in power, with the Ambassador of the Russian Federation. Therefore, every day will be spent in work, in communication with both the flock and the clergy. And, of course, there will be a Divine Liturgy, and not just one, as well as prayers when visiting each church. I hope that with God’s help we will carry out the program that we have planned. Of course, it was not so easy to get here, we spent more than a day on the road, but I am sure that with God’s help we will succeed this week.”

Then there was a meeting with students of the missionary center.

On November 19, 2024, Metropolitan Pavel of Khanty-Mansiysk and Surgut, Administrator of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese, arrived in the capital of the Republic of the Philippines, Manila. At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Metropolitan Pavel and representatives of the delegation of the Khanty-Mansiysk Diocese were met by the rector of the Church of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God in Manila, Hieromonk Alexei (Lapshin). The bishop is accompanied on the trip by: Secretary of the Khanty-Mansiysk Diocese Hegumen Anthony (Kirpichev), Dean of the Nizhnevartovsk City Deanery of the Khanty-Mansiysk Diocese Archpriest Sergiy Shevchenko, Priest Anthony Dolgushin, Chairman of the Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media of the Khanty-Mansiysk Diocese, cleric of the Resurrection Cathedral in Khanty-Mansiysk Deacon Daniil Matveyev. As part of the archpastoral visit, visits to parishes in the cities and towns of Manila, Davao, Arakan, and Panglao Island are planned. During the archpastoral visit, the Administrator of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese will perform a number of deacon ordinations. On November 20, Metropolitan Pavel will visit the missionary center in honor of Blessed Matrona of Moscow in the city of Davao on the island of Mindanao, where he will meet with students. On November 21, the day of remembrance of the Council of Archangel Michael and other heavenly incorporeal powers, the Administrator of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese will lead the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in Arakan, and will perform the ordination of Dmitry Kahilig as a deacon. Also on this day, a meeting of the clergy of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese will be held. On November 22, during the archpastoral visit, a visit to the island of Panglao is planned, where the bishop will get acquainted with the progress of construction of the Church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” and will perform a prayer service. On November 23, in the capital of the Republic of the Philippines, Manila, a meeting will be held between Metropolitan Pavel and the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Philippines. On November 24, the Bishop will lead the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God in Manila and ordain Luka Tababa as a deacon. As part of the archpastoral trip to the Republic of the Philippines, working meetings will be held between the Administrator of the Philippines-Vietnamese Diocese and representatives of the state authorities of the cities and towns of the Republic.

YOUR HOLINESS, MOST HOLY LORD! OUR DEAR PRIMATE AND FATHER!

On this significant and joyful day for all who love you, please accept on behalf of the clergy and flock of the Khanty-Mansiysk Metropolitanate and the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese entrusted to my care, sincere words of congratulations and heartfelt good wishes on the occasion of your birthday. Your life is a shining example of selfless service to our Church. Over the course of many years, your Primate’s wise word has strengthened the Orthodox faith in people, given them hope and moral support, called them to live according to the commandments of Christ the Savior, to unshakable hope and sincere love. It is largely thanks to you that in our Fatherland today we see that symphony of interaction between church and state authorities in the matter of preserving the historical heritage of our Fatherland, in the restoration of many shrines, and the affirmation of traditional spiritual and moral values ​​in society. In your blessed Primate service, you, steadfastly following the words of the Apostle Paul, are an example of faithful word, life, love, spirit, faith and purity (1 Tim. 4:12). Your wisdom in life, knowledge, warmth of soul and constant goodwill have earned you the love of all the faithful children of our Church. On this memorable day for you, I prayerfully wish you, our dear Primate and Father, spiritual and physical strength, patience and all-strengthening help from God in your Primate labors, for the good of the Church and the Fatherland. May the All-Generous Lord keep you in health and prosperity for many good years! With filial love in Christ,

Pavel, METROPOLITAN OF KHANTY-MANSIYSK AND SURGUT

From November 20 to 25, 2024, the archpastoral visit of the Administrator of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese, Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi, to the Republic of the Philippines will take place. During the visit, the archpastor will visit parishes in the cities and towns of Manila, Davao, Arakan, and Panglao Island. During the archpastoral visit, the Administrator of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese will perform 2 deacon ordinations. On November 20, Metropolitan Pavel will visit the missionary center in honor of Blessed Matrona of Moscow in the city of Davao on the island of Mindanao, where he will meet with students. On November 21, the day of remembrance of the Synaxis of Archangel Michael and other heavenly bodiless Ghosts, the Administrator of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese will lead the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in Arakan and perform the ordination of Dmitry Cahilig as a deacon. Also on this day, a meeting of the clergy of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese will take place. On November 22, the feast of the icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear”, a visit to the island of Panglao is planned, where the bishop will get acquainted with the progress of construction of the church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear”, will conduct a prayer service and the rite of consecration of the cross. On November 23, in the capital of the Republic of the Philippines, Manila, a meeting of Metropolitan Pavel with the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Philippines will take place. On November 24, the bishop will lead the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God in Manila and ordain Luka Tabab as a deacon. As part of the archpastoral trip, working meetings will be held between the administrator of the Philippines-Vietnam Diocese and representatives of the state authorities of the cities and towns of the republic.