On November 26, the feast day of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi, Administrator of the Diocese of the Philippines and Vietnam, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in Arakan, Cotabato Province, Philippines.
His Eminence was assisted by Hieromonk Korniliy (Molev), Secretary of the Diocese of the Philippines and Vietnam, and clergy of the Diocese of the Philippines and Vietnam. Deacon Daniel Matveyev presided over the service.
By decree of Metropolitan Pavel, the clergy of the Philippine Diocese were awarded liturgical and hierarchical awards for their zealous service to the Holy Church:
• Priest Moses Cahilig, Dean of the North Kotabato Deanery, was awarded the right to wear the kamilavka and pectoral cross;
• Priest Roman Buniel, Dean General of the Santos Deanery, was awarded the right to wear the kamilavka and pectoral cross;
• Priest Joachim Gonzales, Rector of the Church of the Epiphany of the Lord in the village of Talas, was awarded the right to wear the nabedrennik and kamilavka;
• Priest Ambrose Sumagaysay, Rector of the Church of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Queen Helena of Constantinople in the village of Little Baguio, was awarded the right to wear the nabedrennik;
• Priest Nikolai Salgado, rector of the Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Makalangot, was awarded the right to wear the nabedrennik;
• Priest Juventinus Bulaqueña, rector of the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Manukan, was awarded the right to wear the nabedrennik;
• Priest Kirill Beñalon, rector of the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in Lake Sebu, was awarded the right to wear the nabedrennik;
• Priest Stefan Bingcal, cleric of the Church of Blessed Matrona of Moscow in Davao, was awarded the right to wear the nabedrennik.
Following the service, the archpastor addressed the congregation.
A number of laypeople were awarded diocesan awards. Diplomas were also presented to graduates of the Moscow Theological Academy of Distance Learning in English.
