On May 21, the Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery celebrated the feast commemorating the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian. All the services required by Typikon  took place at the monastery’s Trinity and Annunciation Cathedrals with the late-morning addition of Sunday office of Panagia with the procession.

The Apostle’s earthly life was seized with his longing to be near God. Ever since meeting Him by the Lake of Gennesaret, the Apostle followed Christ and never left His side. He shed tears next to the Ever-Holy Mother of God at the foot of Golgotha. He was the one who our Savior appointed a guardian of His Most Pure Mother, saying: “Behold thy Mother” (John 19:27). He preached in many towns, even in Rome, despite Nero’s persecutions. He suffered torture and was exiled to the island of Patmos. While there, he wrote the Book of Revelation (the “Apocalypse”) proclaimed through him by the Spirit of God.