MUNICH: February 9, 2009
Feast Day At the Cathedral of the Holy New Martyrs

On February 8, 2009, the parishioners of the Cathedral of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia in Munich celebrated its feast day. The solemn service also drew many visitors from the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the Bavarian capital and other German cities. 

The divine services were led by His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany along with His Grace Bishop Agapit of Stuttgart, the Cathedral clergymen and visiting clerics. 

One of the clergymen, Hieromonk Joasaph (MacLellan) of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, was elevated by Vladyka Mark to the rank of archimandrite. 

This week, Fr Joasaph, who was recently appointed by the Synod of Bishops as the Head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, will assume his duties and will be based at Ascension Convent on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.  

Archbishop Mark addressed the worshipers, speaking on the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, and the podvigi of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia.  

Upon the conclusion of the Liturgy, a moleben was performed in the memory of all those who perished during the years of persecution of the faith in Christ. Unfortunately, the bad weather prevented a procession of the cross from being held. However, the peal of 13 bells, made in Romano-Borisoglebsk (near Yaroslavl, Russia), rang throughout the neighborhood of the church, originally an American Protestant church rebuilt in the old Russian style in the mid-1990's. 

As is the custom, gramaty [decrees of blessing] were granted to parishioners of note.  

During the trapeza organized by the Cathedral's sisterhood, Vladyka Mark, preparing to depart for the Holy Land with the new Chief of the Mission, spoke about the life of the Mission and the problems it faces.