The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on the 6th Sunday of Easter at the parish of St Seraphim of Sarov in the village of Lawigue (Tayabas, Quezon province) where more than 30 people were baptized 2 weeks ago, and thus the total number of members almost reached fifty (most of them are children). This is the poorest community in Manila Deanery and we’ll need to raise funds for the proper place for Divine worship there.

On May 12, an action “Immortal Regiment” was held on the islands of Panglao and Bohol, dedicated to the 78th anniversary of the Great Victory. It was attended by compatriots living on these islands and on the neighboring island of Cebu, representatives of the Russian Embassy in the Philippines and representatives of the Bohol Island administration. After the rally on the islands, on the central square of Tagbilaran city, the Secretary of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese, Hieromonk Korniliy (Molev), and the dean of the Manila District, Hieromonk Alexei (Lapshin), celebrated a thanksgiving prayer service on Victory Day over Fascism, after which representatives of the Russian Embassy and the local administration made a speech. The participants honoured the memory of their ancestors, whose feat of self-sacrifice changed God’s wrath for mercy, and deserved the Victory granted on Easter.

On May 8, on the eve of Victory Day, the staff of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Ho Chi Minh City honored the memory of Russian sailors who participated in the Russo–Japanese war of 1904-1905. Priest Yevgeny Tsukalo performed a memorial service for the deceased soldiers at the place of their burial.

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.