May 6, on the feast of St. George the Victorious and the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, 31 people were baptized in the community in honor of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Lawigue (Tayabas, 100 km southeast of Manila). For many years the FMI Charitable Foundation under the leadership of Priest David Grubbs has been talking care about this community. 2 years ago, a miracle of healing took place there: hopelessly ill Athanasius got well immediately after he was baptized. Then many members wished to be baptized, however the pandemic made its own adjustments. But today, on the eve of the Sunday of the Paralytic, in memory of the miracle performed by the Savior 2000 years ago and repeated 2 years ago, the desire of Athanasius’ friends has come true: they have become one body with Christ. The sacrament was conducted by the dean of the Manila Deanery, Hieromonk Alexei (Lapshin) and the cleric of the Iveron Parish in Manila, Priest Augustin Ponferrada.

A special event dedicated to Victory Day was held at the Russian Embassy in the Philippines. After the symbolic rally, the embassy staff took part in a Thanksgiving Prayer on Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War, which was held by the rector of the parish of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God in Manila, Hieromonk Alexei (Lapshin). The participants of the event honored the memory of the leaders, soldiers and all those who laboured for the victory over fascism, especially those who gave their lives for our freedom. The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Russia to the Philippines M. I. Pavlov addressed the audience.

May 2 is the patronal feast of the parish in honor of the Holy Righteous Matrona of Moscow in Davao city. The secretary of the diocese, Hieromonk Korniliy (Molev), was co-served by the cleric of the Dormition parish of the Russian Orthodox Church in Singapore, Priest Dmitry Lavrentiev.

On May 1, our Church was replenished with another soldier of Christ. Than Tri is a close friend of Savva, whom we baptized on April 8. Now the guys will come to the church together, participate in the divine service, and also communicate with their friends, relatives, compatriots and show them the way to God! We ask for prayers for the newly enlightened Simeon!

P.S. I asked him why Than Tri wants to be named after Saint Simeon, Bishop of Tver, and he answered me: “For the fact that St. Simeon was benevolent and kind to the oppressed and destitute, attentive to monastic and priestly rank, a zealous defender of the truth. The Nikon Chronicle tells us that this holy bishop was “good in healing and in the books of Holy Scripture; he was a teacher, a virtuous man who cared for the needy, widows and orphans, a defender of the oppressed.” I am inspired and I want to be like this Saint!”

Worship at the parishes in Vung Tau and Bacoor. In Bacoor, the rite of conversion from Catholicism to Orthodoxy through Chrismation was also performed for Nina, who due to illness could not participate in the sacrament of Baptism in Tagaytay a week ago.