On November 19, Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi, Administrator of the Diocese of the Philippines and Vietnam, celebrated a thanksgiving service at the Church of the Nativity of Christ in Tagaytay, Philippines.
Praying at the service were Hieromonk Korniliy (Molev), Secretary of the Diocese of the Philippines and Vietnam; Hegumen Anthony (Kirpichev), Secretary of the Khanty-Mansiysk Diocese; and Priest David Grubbs, Rector of the church.
Following the service, Metropolitan Pavel addressed those gathered:
“Dear fathers, brothers, and sisters! I thank everyone for your shared prayers. We have offered words of gratitude to the Lord God for blessing our journey and for blessing our safe arrival here, in the Philippines, in our diocese.
I hope that the Lord will assist us in the services we will perform here and in other cities and towns, including the consecration of the Church of Our Lady “Quick to Hear,” which was built on Panglao Island, our visit to our parishes on Mindanao Island, and the ordination of priests. We ask the Lord’s blessing for all of this and hope that He will be our Helper in all our endeavors.
I am very glad to see Father David in good health and well-being. We came to you to meet at your parish, where you have served for many years, and to thank God.
I am glad to see everyone. We hope that the Lord will bless our labors for the glory of God and the benefit of us all!”
