DIOCESE OF PENZA: 11 November 2025
Metropolitan Seraphim of Penza and Nizhnelomovsk performs a pannikhida at the birth site of Fr Seraphim Slobodskoy

November 5, 2025, marked the 54th anniversary of the repost of Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy, the renowned author of the book Law of God. Few know that he was born in the Penza Diocese, in Russia, and was an active figure in the work of the National Organization of Russian Explorers (Association of Russian Explorers Outside of Russia), a movement formed to pass on the spirit of Holy Rus, its language and culture in difficult times of the Russian diaspora.

His Eminence Archbishop Seraphim of Penza and Nizhnelomovsk performed a pannikhida memorial service at his place of birth, the town of Cherentsovka in the Penza region. On the now ruined site of the Church of Archangel Michael, the famous pastor and author was baptised, where his father served and he grew up.

His Eminence was assisted by the secretary of the Penza Diocese, Archpriest Pavel Matyushechkin, the dean of the 2nd district of the Penza region, Hieromonk Tikhon (Fedyashkin), Archpriest Andrey Khromov, and priests Sergey Chervyakov, Sergey Kozelkov, Nikolay Matsyuk, Sergey Ivanov, Dionisy Sushko, and Dimitry Fadeev.The service was attended by the head of the administration of the Yermolovsky village council, Larisa Nikolaevna Mozhaeva, and local residents.

Before the beginning of the requiem service, His Eminence Bishop Seraphim spoke to those gathered about the decision to restore the destroyed Michael the Archangel Church and called to pray for the repose of the blessed memory of Archpriest Seraphim, his father — the martyred Archpriest Alexey, and all the departed who lived in this village, worked, and prayed in this church.Penza Diocese: Metropolitan Seraphim held a requiem service for Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy.

Penza Diocese