Matins with reading of 12 Gospels of the Passions of the Lord, Vung Tau, Vietnam

On this day, the Church remembers how Christ washed the feet of the disciples during the Last Supper, when there was a dispute between them about which of them was older. And then the main thing happens, for which He gathered the apostles: while everyone was eating, Jesus took bread and, having blessed, broke it and, distributing it to the disciples, said: “Take, eat: this is My Body.” And taking the cup and giving thanks, He gave it to them and said, “Drink from it all, for this is My Blood of the New Testament, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins” (Mt 26:26-28). The Lord first gave to His disciples His Body and Blood, about which He had previously said: “Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink His Blood, you will not have life in you” (Jn 6:53). The Last Supper ended late in the evening. It was followed by a lonely night prayer of the Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane on the slope of the Mount of Olives, the arrival of guards, arrest, interrogations by the high priests, trial.

In the photos, a service at the parish in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Cotabato province, Mindanao Island, Philippines.

On April 12, prior to the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ, Hieromonk Kornily (Molev) – Secretary of the Diocese, priest Moses Cahilig – dean of North Cotabato Deanery, and priest Nicholas Salgado – rector of the Parish of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Makalangot, Arakan, gathered for the blessing and installation of the dome for the church of St. Seraphim. The dome has long been prepared, however, due to the difficulties concerning its elevation and placement, its installation has been delayed. After a long time of careful preparation the dome was finally ready to be put in its designated place.

Nguyen Khak is a graduate student at Ho Chi Minh University in the Department of Religious Studies. He was familiar with many religions firsthand. His father is a Catholic, mother is a Protestant, but his soul was looking for the Truth. He visited the parish in Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau several times, read the Orthodox Catechism, the Gospel and the desire to become Orthodox only increased. On April 9, on Lazarus Saturday, the baptism took place at the parish in Vung Tau. The newly enlightened one is now named Savva, in honor of Savva the Blessed. During the Baptism, Savva read the Creed in Vietnamese.