Divine Liturgy on the day of St John the Baptist in the church of St Apostle Thomas in Kinabalan.

On September 2, the wedding of Kirill and Alexandra took place in the parish of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God in the village of Polomolok in the Philippines. The sacrament was performed by the Secretary of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese, Hieromonk Cornelius (Molev). Kirill has been studying at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy for four years now. This wedding has diocesan significance: the path to the priesthood is now open to him (according to tradition in the Orthodox Church, only men who have either already created a family or taken the vow of monasticism are ordained to the priesthood). We wish the young family God’s blessing for many good years!

Divine Liturgy at the parish of St Seraphim of Sarov in Makalangot on the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, feast of Vladimirskaya icon of the Mother of God.

Students from the Philippines, Alexander Magat and Mark Candiasan, after completing their Russian language studies at the Yugra State University, arrived in Sergiev Posad to study at the Moscow Theological Seminary. Upon their arrival at the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, Alexander Terentyev, an employee of the International Department of the Moscow Theological Academy, gave them a tour of the main monastery in Russia.

Exactly 3 months ago, the construction of the church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” started on the island of Panglao, Bohol. During this time, the foundation has been poured, the reinforced concrete frame of the first level has been built, and the construction of the walls has begun. The beginning of services is planned for this winter. This will be the first church in the diocese designed in the “Russian” style, and the first church of the Russian Orthodox Church in the central part of the Philippines (Visayas islands). Currently, there are permanent parishes in the northern part (Luzon island) and in the southern part (Mindanao island). Panglao island is the most popular among Russian compatriots due to its low cost, good beaches and infrastructure. There are many attractions here, and the international airport is located 5 minutes from the sea. It is convenient to get here from the two largest cities – Manila and Cebu. Those living in these megalopolises will have the opportunity to combine visiting the church on holidays with a vacation on one of the best islands in the Philippines.