The Pan-Philippian tour of the greatest shrines of Christianity began with the oldest Orthodox church in the Philippines in honor of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross May 20, on the feast of the appearance of the Holy and Life-giving Cross of the Lord in Jerusalem (351AD). The rector of the parish, Archimandrite Philemon (Castro) and the dean of the Manila Deanery, Hieromonk Alexei (Lapshin), led a prayer service in honor of the Holy Cross, the Most Holy Theotokos and 21 saints, whose icons with relics were then offered for worship to all believers. The priests and the President of the St. Bonifacio Charitable Foundation Natalia Mezentseva, through whose works the holy relics were collected throughout the Orthodox world and donated to the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese, told the audience about the venerated saints and the history of finding the brought particles of their relics.
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Blessing of a boat
The blessing of a vessel belonging to the Russian tour company «Sea Quest» in Cebu City. The company organizes tours around El Nido (Palawan Island), which have quickly become very popular among foreign tourists. The ceremony was performed by Hieromonk Alexei (Lapshin), Dean of the Manila Deanery.
Baptism in Makalangot
On October 25, five people received the sacrament of baptism at the parish of St. Seraphim of Sarov in the village of Makalangot (North Cotabato Deanery) in the Philippines. The catechumens were baptized by the parish rector, Priest Nicholas Salgado. The new members of Christ’s Church were given the names Anna, Jonah, Stephen, John, and […]
Blessing of the house in Lake Sebu
Beyond divine services and everyday parish affairs, priests and parishioners in Southeast Asia strive to fill their lives with deeper spiritual content. For example, a home blessing is often performed—a special church rite in which, through prayers and sacred rites, God’s blessing is invoked upon the home and its inhabitants. This church custom helps strengthen […]
Patronal feast in Manila
On October 26, 2025, the 20th Sunday after Pentecost, the feast day of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council and the feast day of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, a festive Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Iveron Church in Manila, Philippines. On this day, the parish prayerfully celebrated the […]
Baptism of the 33
33 catechumens from the community of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Lawigue (Tayabas) received the sacrament of baptism in the ocean after attending services and learning about the faith for some time. The sacraments of baptism and confirmation were performed by Priests David and John from the Manila Deanery, who also celebrated the Divine Liturgy […]
Presentation in Tomsk University
A Filipino student from Tomsk Seminary presented a paper on Orthodoxy in the Philippines at a Tomsk university. On October 22, international students from Tomsk Theological Seminary spoke about Orthodoxy in their home countries at Tomsk Polytechnic University. The seminarians were accompanied by Priest Vyacheslav Kabanin, Vice-Rector for Educational Work. Tatiana Villaluz, a student from […]
Patronal feast in Kinabalan
Patronal celebrations were held at the parish of St. Thomas the Apostle in the Philippines. On October 19, the feast day of St. Thomas the Apostle, patronal celebrations were held at the parish of St. Thomas the Apostle in Kinabalan (Davao Deanery) in the Philippines. Hieromonk Korniliy (Molev), Secretary of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese, celebrated the […]
19th Sunday after Pentecost, of St Apostle Thomas
Sunday services in some parishes of the diocese. By this day the construction of the church of the Mother of God on Panglao is finished.
Intercession of the Mother of God
On October 14, 2025, the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, Divine Liturgy and a procession were celebrated at the Church of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos in Polomolok, South Cotobato, Philippines. The previous day, an All-Night Vigil had been celebrated at the church. The parish celebrates its patronal feast […]
Mission to Bicol
In early October, Archimandrite Philemon (Castro), rector of the parish of the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord in Siniloan, made a missionary trip to Bicol (southern Luzon) to provide spiritual guidance to Orthodox families living in various parts of the region. Father Philemon performed several baptisms, Divine Liturgies, one wedding, […]
