On July 12, the day of remembrance of the Saint glorious and all-praised Apostles Peter and Paul, the Parish of the Apostles Peter and Paul in the village of Salasang (North Cotabato Deanery) celebrated its patronal feast day.
The Divine Liturgy was led by the Secretary of the Diocese, Hieromonk Korniliy (Molev). He was assisted by all the clergy of the deanery: the Dean of the North Cotabato Church District, Priest Moses Cahilig, the rector of the parish, Priest Anthony Aranko, Priest Ambrose Sumagaysay, Priest Nicholas Salgado, and Priest Raphael Frajillo. The all-night vigil was held the day before.
Believers from the parishes of the North Cotabato Deanery, as well as from the island’s major cities – Davao and Cagayan de Oro – came to the celebration. There were also pilgrims from Russia and the United States.
In his sermon, Father Korniliy noted that the Apostles Peter and Paul were different: one was married, the other was a virgin, one was a fisherman, the other was a scientist. Despite these differences, they were united by the fact that they both bore the fruit of repentance. Apostle Peter denied Christ three times, but then repented. Apostle Paul, who persecuted Christ, also repented and turned to God. The path to holiness for both apostles lay through repentance.
Father Korniliy also emphasized that our Church is Apostolic, it preserves apostolic succession. We trace our ordinations from the Apostles, who call us to be apostles – both in our lives and in preaching to our neighbors.
Father Korniliy conveyed the blessing of Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi to the parish and presented vestments for the altar.
A procession with the cross took place after the Liturgy.
A joint meal was organized after the service. The parishioners prepared a festive dish of lechon – a pig roasted on a spit.
