JERUSALEM: June 15, 2015
The Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem of The Russian Church Abroad Participates in Feast-Day Celebrations at Gorny Convent

On the second Sunday of Pentecost, the Russian Orthodox Church traditionally celebrates the feast day of All Russian Saints. Saints are our helpers intercessors before God and our helpers during the course of our earthly life, so prayerful supplication to them is required of every Christian.

The cathedral of Gorny Convent in Jerusalem is dedicated to All Russian Saints, so this day has special meaning there. All-night vigil on the eve, June 13, and Divine Liturgy on Sunday, June 14, 2015, was led by the Acting Chief of the Mission of the Moscow Patriarchate, Abbot Feofan. During Liturgy he was joined by the Chief of Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), as well as clergymen of the Mission and pilgrims in clerical rank.

The nuns of the convent headed by Abbaes Georgia, prayed alongside pilgrims and parishioners.

One of the main challenges of modern life for Orthodox Christians is the question of the Church and her unity. As Fr Feofan said in his sermon, joint divine services with Fr Roman was an important event, made possible by the prayers of all of the host of Russian saints.

The festive services concluded with a solemn procession of the cross and a splendid trapeza luncheon, lovingly prepared by the convents nuns.