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!”.
