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21 March 2019 года

Annual Diocesan Council

On March 21, Nizhny Novgorod’s clergy held a Diocesan Council at the “Zhelezhnodorozhnik” Central Palace of Culture in Nizhny Novgorod. Metropolitan of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas Georgiy presided at the meeting. Other participants included Bishop of Balakhna Elijah, Vicar of Nizhny Novgorod Diocese, hegumens and hegumenias with clergy, monastics and laity, employees of diocesan departments and organizations.  Hegumenia Sergiya of the Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery and the monastery’s clergy were present there as well.

The head of Nizhny Novgorod Metropoly served a thanksgiving prayer service, followed by the viewing of a documentary video about the diocesan life in 2018. Its highlights included the celebration of 1030th anniversary of Baptism of Rus, 100-year anniversary since the murder of the Russian Emperor Nicholas II and his family, opening of the second part of the Romanov Avenue at Ascension Pechersky Monastery, and the arrival of the holy relics of the Hierarch St. Luke Vojino-Yasnevetsky and the holy warrior Fyodor Ushakov to the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

The ruling hierarch read an endorsement written by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia on the annual diocesan report for the year of 2017. His Holiness thanked diocesan clergy and laity for their laborious efforts in the advancement and promotion of Orthodox faith, as well as for high rate in continuing education among the clergy. In particular, the document said, “your diocese is known to have some of the best dynamics in the number of clergy with completed seminarian degrees. It is imperative to carry out the Holy Bishop’s Council decision regarding clergy education and admit new priests without theological education with great caution and care. It is necessary to continue efforts at eradicating this practice fully and completely.”

On behalf of the Primate of the Church, Metropolitan Georgiy expressed gratitude to the support shown by the Nizhny Novgorod clergy of His Holiness’ position and the decision by the Holy Synod from October 15, 2018 about impossibility to have Eucharistic communion with the Patriarchate of Constantinople in view of its continued anti-canonical actions.

The actions by Constantinople, reminded His Grace, have been discussed at the bishop’s council of Nizhny Novgorod Diocese and at the meeting of local clergy in November of 2018. “It is important for me, as your Patriarch, to feel solidarity with the rest of the church, offering spiritual support and empathy to those who suffer and grieve in today’s Ukraine because of their steadfast adherence to the canonical Orthodox faith,” Metropolitan Georgiy cited His Holiness.

Pursuant to the matter, the ruling hierarch reminded about the Primate of the Church’s appeal to raise unceasing liturgical prayers for unity of holy Orthodoxy and peace within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Prayers should be offered not only during church services, but also at homes and during pilgrimages, fervently asking laity to join in prayer.

In his main statement, the ruling hierarch announced the statistical data regarding active monasteries, deaneries and parishes, the number of clergy, theological schools and new churches. Specifically, Metropolitan Georgiy headed consecration of nine churches and seven side altars, as well as four foundation laying ceremonies in 2018. Besides, the head of the diocese presided over the ordination of seven priests and eleven deacons over the last year.

The ruling hierarch touched upon such issues as modern parish life and pastoral work. The Archpastor called on clergy to continue their work at remembering and commemorating the clergy and laity who suffered during the years of persecution. It should include those already glorified as saints and who are still being considered by the canonization commission. “Honorable fathers, I ask you to keep those who were persecuted for their faith in your prayers; study their lives, mention their names in your sermons and at schools. Hold Sunday prayer services honoring those already glorified by the Church and remembering those still waiting to be glorified during Panikhida remembrance services,” stated the head of the Metropolitanate.

Besides, Metropolitan Georgiy called on clergy to tend for their own spiritual life by having frequent confessions and increasing prayers in an effort to attain spiritual perfection and invite the grace of God on themselves and their flock.

In his final remarks at the gathering, His Grace expressed gratitude to everyone for their labor and efforts at achieving new spiritual heights in their ministry. “By God’s mercy, the Diocese of Nizhny Novgorod has gone through successful growth: we have built new churches and a number of our new parishes has grown; a variety of social and educational outreach projects have been implemented. May the mercy of God never leaves us this year so that we are able to approach the works of salvation in fear and trembling,” the Archpastor said.

“Memory eternal” was sung in the memory of the Diocesan clergy who passed away last year: Protopresbyters Valentin (Moshkov), Vyacheslav (Senichev), Alexander (Tyurin), Valeriy (Porosov), Alexander (Sokolov) and Deacon Gregory (Kuznetsov).

At the end of the meeting, the clergy who exhibited exceptional level of work for the good of the Mother Church and God’s people received awards. The Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery clergy were among them. Protopresbyter Igor (Borisov), in commemoration of his anniversary, and Protodeacon Gregory (Poltavets), for his 20 years of service, received letters of appreciation.