The day commemorating the memory of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew was marked at the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery with the hierarchical service. Metropolitan Georgiy of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas and Bishop Savva of Zelenograd, Vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and deputy administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate, presided at services. The archpastors served the akathist at the relics of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov in the Trinity Cathedral followed by the Divine Liturgy in the Annunciation Cathedral.

On the remembrance day of one of the four evangelists, Rev.Fr. Anthony Chikin of the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery delivered the post-communion sermon about the importance of reading and correct interpretation of the Holy Scriptures.

Upon the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Hegumenia Sergia, the abbess of the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery heartily thanked Metropolitan Georgiy and Bishop Savva for their archpastoral prayers beside the relics of batiushka Seraphim and at the Divine Liturgy wishing that the Lord, through the prayers of the Queen of Heaven, the Superior of the Diveyevo monastery, as well as Venerable Seraphim, all the saints of Diveyevo, and the Apostle and Evangelist Matthew with all the saints, grants help to the archpastors as they carry out their labors.

Matushka Hegumenia presented Metropolitan Georgiy and Bishop Savva with the prosphoras for bodily strength and the icons of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov for remembrance in prayer.

Bishop Savva expressed gratitude to Metropolitan Georgiy for the opportunity to pray in the Fourth Lot of the Most Holy Mother of God. The Most Reverend Vladyka noted that he tries hard to pay a visit the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery every year.

“We remember the time when devastation reigned over the holy monasteries, and now our Merciful Lord gives us the joy to partake of the splendor of the newly restored holy churches. It is important that many generations of faithful Orthodox Christians who will come after us will be able to pray within the walls of these holy monasteries and glorify God in His greatness there,” said Bishop Savva.

In his hierarchical address, the head of the Nizhny Novgorod Metropolia congratulated all those who came to church on the remembrance day of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew and said that he particularly prayed at today’s service for the repose of the soul of the famous choir director Archimandrite Matthew (Mormyl) on his name day.

Archimandrite Matthew carried out his obedience in the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, where he directed for many years the combined choirs of the Lavra and the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary, and educated more than one generation of choir singers. “The Lord gave Father Matthew a unique talent, and he was able to multiply it,” said Metropolitan Georgiy. His Eminence noted that he personally knew Father Matthew and asked everyone to pray for him on this memorable day.

The ruling hierarch warmly greeted Bishop Savva and thanked him for participation at yesterday’s meeting in Nizhny Novgorod with the clergy of the Nizhny Novgorod Diocese and the students of the Nizhny Novgorod Theological Seminary, as well as sharing talking about the changes that took place in the life of the Russian Orthodox Church over the past three years. Metropolitan Georgiy gifted to Bishop Savva the Seraphim-Diveyevo “Tenderness” Icon of the Mother Holy Mother of God.