ON THE FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD, THE PATRIARCHAL EXARCH OF SOUTHEAST ASIA LED THE DIVINE LITURGY AT THE TRANSFIGURATION CATHEDRAL IN SURGUT

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»

Transfiguration of the Lord: Hierarchical Vigil

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!”.

Meeting of the Synod of the Exarchate

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.

Joint divine liturgy of the Hierarchs of the diocese

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!”

Seminar on Catechism

The seminar on Catechism for priests of Mindanao island at the center of St. Matrona in Davao has ended. For several days, the priests studied how to organize a systematic catechization in their parishes. They also attended lectures on the history of Ecumenical Councils. During the days of the pandemic, meetings of the priesthood are especially difficult, so for the fathers it was also a unique opportunity to pray and, of course, to celebrate the Divine Liturgy together.

Memory eternal

In Mindanao, the leader of a mountain tribe brother John died of covid. He had brought many of his fellow tribesmen to Orthodoxy with him. Memory eternal!

In some unknown way, John became very fond of Orthodoxy and patiently waited for the missionaries for more than two years. After his baptism, he decided to donate the land on which his house stood for the construction of the temple and demolished his own house! A very zealous Christian. Remember him.

On August 10, a service for the departed brother John was held in Davao by Hieromonk Cornelius together with priests Joachim, Moses and Roman.

Due to lack of vaccines, the vaccination rate is slow in the Philippines, that’s why facing the new strains of the coronavirus, the authorities impose new lockdowns in Manila some other territories.

Charity mission in Quezon

The Department of Charity of our diocese has weekly outreach mission in Quezon province, 130 km from Manila. Dozens of poor people, mostly hungry children, are fed with champorado (rice dish) and other food and snacks. Catechetical classes are also held for those preparing for the Holy Baptism. After the miraculous healing after Baptism of one of these people many of them wish to become Orthodox.

Patronal feast in Makalangot

On August 1, on the day of St. Seraphim of Sarov, the congregation in Makalangot (Arakan, Cotabato) celebrated its Patronal feast.

The spiritual celebration was headed by the Secretary of the Philippines-Vietnamese diocese Hieromonk Cornelius Molev with priest Moses Cahilig and deacons Nicolas and Ambrose.