On January 21, a delegation of clergy from  Zhytomyr  Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church arrived in the Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery.  

Metropolitan Nikodim of  Zhytomyr  and Novorgad-Volynsky presided at the services at the monastery’s Trinity Cathedral. His Eminence Metropolitan Nikodim served the akathist to Venerable Seraphim of Sarov before his holy relics followed by the Divine Liturgy.  

At the end of the service, Hegimenia Sergiya thanked His Eminence for his prayers and presented him with the icon of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov praying at the stone.  

In his hierarchical address, Met. Nikodim told the gathering of faithful that he is happy to pray at the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery before the relics of Venerable Seraphim. This God-pleasing saint is known to the world for his righteous life, steadfast adherence to our faith, clairvoyance, and wisdom.  

“The trying times have befallen the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” said His Eminence Nikodim. “These difficulties emerged because our people turned away from God. All of us are in dire need of prayerful support, unity, and love. We seek your holy prayers for our Church.” 

Met. Nikodim thanked Hegumenia Sergiya and sisters for their hospitality, their hard work at the restoration of the monastery and wished them endurance, patience, and courage.  

The pilgrimage trip by the representatives of the  Zhytomyr Diocese will last from February 17 to February 23 through the blessing of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. Its program includes visits to the holy places in Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod and the sightseeing tours of those cities.