Today, on the day of the repose of the Apostle and Evangelist St. John the Theologian, the Arzamas Metochion of the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery celebrated the patronal feast. The southern side chapel of the church to the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God is dedicated to the beloved disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. Apostle John was so loved by the Lord for his devoted heart, innocence, pure and bright mind.

The Holy Church called the Apostle John a favorite of Christ for he was the only one among the apostles who was vouchsafed to recline on the bosom of the Divine Teacher. The Lord expressed his love to His disciple through the adoption of the apostle by His Most Holy Mother.

On the patronal feast, the metochion church held a Vigil, paraklesis with the blessing of water prayer service, and the Divine Liturgy attended by Hegumenia Sergiya, the abbess of the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery, and the sisters of the metochion.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the procession with the cross went around the church.

Before the vigil service, the students of the metochion’s Sunday school congratulated Matushka Hegumenia with her Name Day. They presented flowers, read poems, and sang “Many Years!”