12 September 2021 года

“All saints of the land of Nizhny Novgorod, pray to God for us!”

On the second Sunday in September, the Holy Church celebrates the Synaxis of Nizhny Novgorod Saints. This day is particularly special for the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery as there are seventeen ascetics from Diveyevo among more than seventy saints who shone forth in the lands of Nizhny Novgorod.

There is a tradition in the Russian Church to honor the Synaxis of the local God-pleasing saints of a particular diocese or a particular monastery. The celebration of the Synaxis of Nizhny Novgorod Saints was established with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Alexiy II of Moscow and All Russia in April, 2008.

An icon was painted before the first celebration of the Synaxis of Nizhny Novgorod Saints. In the center of the icon, there is Golgotha with the Cross of the Lord and the Kremlin Transfiguration Cathedral in the background with the Seraphim-Diveyevo and Ascension Caves monasteries flanking its sides.  The hierarchy of the order of the saints is at the foreground of the icon. The hierarchs, hieromartyrs, and martyrs are depicted along with the venerable and righteous saints, as well as the Fools-for-Christ.

In commemoration of the feast of the Synaxis of Nizhny Novgorod Saints, Vigil was served on the eve and it was followed by the early-morning Divine Liturgy held on the feast day in Our Lady of Kazan Cathedral of the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery.