On August 29, 2021, in the 10th week after Pentecost, the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, Metropolitan Pavel of Khanty-Mansi and Surgut celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Resurrection Cathedral of Khanty-Mansiysk.

His Eminence was co-served by the clergy of the cathedral.

At a special litany, prayer petitions were offered for deliverance from the coronavirus infection, as well as for strengthening the doctors: “Look, O Master Who loves Mankind, at the sacrificial feat of our doctors, send them unshakable health and strength of spirit, wisdom to perform works for the benefit of our people and create through them healing for Your suffering servant, we diligently pray to You, soon hear and have mercy.”

During the divine service, Metropolitan Pavel ordained Monk John (Gondayao) to the rank of hierodeacon.

At the end of the service, Metropolitan Pavel addressed the audience:

“Dear fathers, brothers and sisters! Let me sincerely congratulate everyone on the feast of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! These days we celebrate the Dormition of the Mother of God. It is a holiday in which each of us hopes and believes that the Mother of God will stay with us. “In Your Nativity, You have kept Your virginity, in Your Dormition You have not left the world”! Praising the Queen of Heaven, Her Holy Dormition, I would like to remind each of us how important it is to be a child of the Mother of God. And in order to be the one, you need to pray to Her. The Most Holy Theotokos promised not to leave this world, first of all those who rely on Her intercession. Every day we pray that She will deliver us from enemies visible and invisible, from a deadly wound and illness, so that She will stay with us in this difficult time.

We should pray to the Mother of God that She will be with us relentlessly and we are not afraid of any deadly disease or other adversities. Holy Mother of God, save us and do not leave us!

I would especially like to ask all of you, my dear ones, for prayers that the Lord will strengthen our student from the Philippines. Today you witnessed his diaconal ordination, on August 27 he took monastic vows with the name John in honor of St. John of Shanghai. This saint, after leaving China, found refuge in the Philippines and lived on the island of Tububao for almost 4 years. St. John is greatly revered in the Philippine islands, his memory is alive, and the witnesses of his and our compatriots ‘ stay in the Philippines, where he left a good spiritual trace, are still alive.

I ask for prayers that the Lord will strengthen father John, give him spiritual strength, so that he will be imbued here with spirituality, ecclesiasticism, dogmatic knowledge about our faith, and carry all this to his land for enlightenment.

I thank everyone for the common prayers, I congratulate you and may the Queen of Heaven be constantly with each of you.

On August 27, 2021, in the Dimitrievsky Monastery of Khanty-Mansiysk, Metropolitan Pavel of Khanty-Mansi and Surgut performed the monastic tonsure of a seminarian from the Philippines, Leo Gondayao, with the naming of his name John, in honor of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco.

The monastic tonsure took place in the church of the monastery, in honor of St. Demetrius, Metropolitan of Rostov.

The church was attended by the vicar of the monastery, Abbot Anthony (Kirpichev) with the brethren of the monastery and students of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy from the Philippines.

Before the beginning of the tonsure, Metropolitan Pavel addressed the audience:

“Dear fathers, brothers and sisters! Today, on this festive evening, we have gathered to perform the monastic tonsure of our brother Leo, who represents the Philippine-Vietnamese diocese and will be its cleric. And as the administrator of the Khanty-Mansi Metropolia and the Philippine-Vietnamese diocese, today I have to make this tonsure.

Monasticism is a renunciation of worldly service, and service only to the Lord God. It would seem that a person renounces the world and takes vows, dedicating his life to the Lord God. But we know that it is impossible to serve God without serving our neighbor.

The “white” clergy serve God with their small churches, families, and of course, they must pay attention to their wives and children, taking care of them.

And a monk entirely devotes himself to the service of the Lord God, but through people. And today we will offer fervent prayers to our Savior, so that the Lord would take this monastic tonsure into his arms, fill it with the power of the Holy Spirit, and His help. Because a good deed is chosen, but it needs to be followed by efforts, works, and of course, it is impossible without God’s help.

Let us ask the All-merciful Lord, the Queen of Heaven, Whose holy Dormition we are celebrating today, that She does not leave this world in her Dormition, as She promised.”

Leoneil (Leo) Gondayao, was born on May 30, 1996 in Manila, Philippines. He grew up in a Catholic family, often attended morning mass in the school church and eventually memorized the words of the service. He was baptized in Tagaytay, Philippines, by Hieromonk Philip on August 19, the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Today Leo is a student of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy.

On August 19, 2021, at the Bishop’s residence at the Church of the Great Martyr George in Surgut, the Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and Southeast Asia, met with a group of seminarians from Indonesia and the Philippines.

The meeting was attended by Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi and Archbishop Theophan of Korea.

The bishops addressed the seminarians with parting words and wishes of God’s help in the responsible task of training for the further service of the Church of Christ. At the end of the meeting, Metropolitan Sergiy gave an archpastoral blessing to all students for the new academic year.

On August 19, 2021, on the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, the Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and Southeast Asia, led the Divine Liturgy at the Transfiguration Cathedral in Surgut. His Eminence was co-served by: Metropolitan Pavel of Khanty-Mansi and Surgut, Archbishop Feofan of Korea, Secretary of the Thai Diocese Archimandrite Oleg (Cherepanin), dean of the Surgut city deanery Archpriest Anthony Isakov, dean of the Surgut district deanery Archpriest Vladislav Bronnikov, confessor of the Khanty-Mansi Diocese Hieromonk Vladimir Vanyukov, secretary of the administrator of the Khanty-Mansi Diocese hegumen Anthony (Kirpichev), Priest Alexander Petyur, head of the Chancery of the Khanty-Mansi Diocese, Archpriest Nikolai Gamm, the cathedral’s clerk, the clergy of the cathedral. The deacon’s rank was headed by Deacon Daniel Matveev. During the service, the abbess of the convent of the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” of Surgut, Abbess Georgia (Alginina), prayed with her sisters. The service was attended by the Head of Surgut, Andrey Sergeevich Filatov. At a special litany, prayer petitions were offered in connection with the threat of the spread of coronavirus infection. After a special litany, Metropolitan Sergiy offered a prayer read during the spread of a harmful plague. The students of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia, studying at the Moscow and St. Petersburg Theological Academies, carried out the subdeaconal obedience during the divine service. By decree of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the secretary of the Thai Diocese, Archimandrite Oleg (Cherepanin), was awarded the Jubilee Medal of the Russian Orthodox Church “50 years of the Autonomous Japanese Orthodox Church. 1970-2020»

On August 18, 2021, on the eve of the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, the Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and Southeast Asia, led an All-Night Vigil in the church in honor of St. George the Trophy-bearer of Surgut. His Eminence was co-served by: Metropolitan Pavel of Khanty-Mansi and Surgut, Archbishop Theofan of Korea, Secretary of the Thai Diocese Archimandrite Oleg (Cherepanin), dean of the Surgut city deanery Archpriest Anthony Isakov, secretary of the Khanty-Mansi Diocese Abbot Anthony (Kirpichev), head of the Chancery of the Khanty-Mansi Diocese Priest Alexander Petyur, Priest Grigory Belyanin. The deacon’s rank was headed by Deacon Daniel Matveev.

At the end of the service, Metropolitan Sergiy addressed the audience:”Dear Reverend hierarchs, brothers and sisters, I congratulate all of you on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, and I wish that the light that the apostles saw on Mount Tabor, the Divine light that amazed and inspired them for future feats, that this light became the subject of our desires, that it became the meaning of our life, our searches, and that we, having found this light, were comforted, and, like the apostles, were inspired for our whole life. Happy holidays to you!”

In his response, Metropolitan Pavel noted: “I thank you, dear Vladyka, for the prayers in this holy temple. I remember that you together with His Holiness the Patriarch took part in the consecration of this temple, and for 7 years it has acquired an internal appearance, painted and filled with worshippers. This parish has become one of the biggest parishes of Surgut. I also thank you cordially, Vladyka Theophan, for the prayers, God save all, God’s help to all!”.

On August 18, 2021, a meeting of the Synod of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia was held at the Bishop’s residence at the Church of the Great Martyr George in Surgut, under the chairmanship of the Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and Southeast Asia.The Synod was attended by Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi, Archbishop Theophan of Korea, as well as the secretary of the Synod, Bishop Pitirim of Jakarta (via remote communication), who participates in the meeting with the right of advisory vote (according to paragraph 7 of the Internal Regulations on the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia).

The Synod members expressed filial gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church for their attention to the state of Orthodoxy in Asia, the development of the life of church communities and the organization of their canonical existence. During the meeting, a wide range of issues of the life of the Patriarchal Exarchate was considered.

On August 18, 2021, on the eve of the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and Southeast Asia, led the Divine Liturgy in the church in honor of the Apostle John the Theologian at the diocesan administration of Surgut.

His Eminence was co-served by Metropolitan Pavel of Khanty-Mansi and Surgut, Archbishop Feofan of Korea, Secretary of the Thai Diocese Archimandrite Oleg (Cherepanin), Secretary of the Khanty-Mansi Diocese hegumen Anthony (Kirpichev). The deacon’s rank was headed by Deacon Daniel Matveev.

The liturgical hymns were performed by Filipino students of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy.

At the end of the service, Metropolitan Sergiy addressed the audience:
“Your Eminence, Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi, Bishop Theophan, my Korean fellow, dear fathers, brothers and sisters! Vladyka, I thank you cordially, everything is going right in your life, apparently you are under the special protection of the Mother of God, thank you for your invitation to come here to your land and hold a meeting of the Synod of the Exarchate of Southeast Asia. Thank you for organizing this important event for the Orthodox Church of Southeast Asia, but most importantly – for the common prayers.”
In his response, Metropolitan Pavel noted:
“Thank you, Your Eminence, for your kind words, because only together we can glorify our Heavenly Creator. Today most of our dioceses in Southeast Asia are represented here, and of course, we would like to ensure that the common prayer is not lost due to the spread of coronavirus infection. But despite all the restrictions, we are together today, thank you for your joint service and prayers!”

We congratulate all Russian and Filipino people with the national holiday- Day of sovereignty and independence! Especially we congratulate our Metropolitan Pavel because today is 10 years of his bishop’s ordination!

The clergy of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia took part in the congress of missionaries of the Russian Orthodox Church.

With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the VI All-Church Congress of Diocesan Missionaries of the Russian Orthodox Church was held in Moscow from May 14 to 16, 2021. More than 250 participants of the Congress, chaired by the head of the synodal missionary department of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan John of Belgorod and Starooskolsky, considered topical issues of spiritual enlightenment and discussed the most effective methods and ways of developing missionary service in modern Russia and in the external mission of the Church.

In the direction of “External Mission of the Russian Orthodox Church”, the co-chairs were: Hieromonk Cornelius (Molev), Secretary of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, member of the Academic Council of the Orthodox Missionary School and Priest Anthony Skrynnikov, Head of the Missionary Department of the Stavropol Diocese. Father Cornelius in his report touched upon the problems of the impact of the practice of shamanism on the Filipinos, with the severe consequences of which Orthodox priests have to face in their ministry. And Priest Dimitri Lavrentiev continued the topic with the report “Organization of missionary activity in the Philippines”.

Missionaries, translators, and representatives of foreign and Russian dioceses also made presentations:

• Elena S. Mahler, representative of the Argentine and South American diocese in Russia, organizer of the Orthodox missionary society “Southern Cross”.”Prospects and directions of the Orthodox Mission in South America”
  Hieromonk Innokenty (Karpov), Cleric of the Argentine and South American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church ” Modern Orthodox Mission in the territory of the Argentine and South American Diocese»
  Mark S. Dasic, Serbian Orthodox missionary and translator “Current missionary projects for the South American region”
  Missionary work with foreigners in Russia
  Priest Dionysius Grishkov, member of the Commission for Missionary Work and Catechism in Moscow, responsible for the mission among migrants, founder of the “Near Home” migrant aid fund. “Experience and problems of missionary work with migrants in Moscow»
  Konstantin Dmitrievich Gorditsa, responsible for missionary work in the Moskvoretsky deanery of the Central Vicariate, teacher of the Orthodox Missionary School. “Features of missionary work among foreign diasporas in Moscow»
  Erofeeva Natalia Anatolyevna Japanist, guide, translator; head and author of the project “The Way of St. Nicholas of Japan from the Birch to the Cherry Tree” “Missionary and educational projects for the 150th anniversary of the Orthodox Mission in Japan”.

The participants performed both remotely and in person. Representatives of foreign dioceses got in touch via zoom, and the audience could ask their questions to the speakers from the conference hall in Moscow. At the end of the session, the participants took a general photo and continued to communicate and exchange experiences of missionary service in the context of the pandemic in an informal setting.