Metropolitan Sergiy celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Singapore
On May 8, on the 3rd Sunday after Pascha, of the Saint Myrrh-Bearing Women, Righteous Joseph of Arimathea and Righteous Nicodemus, Patriarchal Exarch of South-East Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and South-East Asia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Singapore.
His Eminence was co-served by Bishop Pitirim of Jakarta, Vicar of the Diocese of Singapore, and the clergy of the parish.
Upon the end of the Liturgy, Vl. Sergiy cordially congratulated all the faithful and especially women of the parish on the feast of the Saint Myrrh-bearing Women. He also shared the special joy of returning to the parish after a absence.
Speaking about the feast, vl. Sergiy emphasized that the resurrected Lord appeared first to the myrrh-bearing women as a gratitude not only for their courage, but also for their humble labour because it was they who were taking care of the food and life conditions of those who were following Christ. And despite the very insignificant position of women in the society of that time, the Lord eliminates this unfair inequality, showing that everyone is equal before Him, because it is the soul that is most important to God rather than gender, nationality or status.
Similar to the Myrrh-bearing Women, who went through Golgotha together with Christ, let us remember that each of us has our own Golgotha and trials leading to salvation and resurrection. So let us not try to avoid it because “without our personal Golgotha there will be no personal Pascha” — emphasizesd Vladyka Sergiy. And let us remember that the first words of the Lord after His Resurrection were “peace and joy”, and this is exactly what modern people lack so much. Thus, instead of replenishing the cup of evil with our negative thoughts, let us smile and multiply the peace and joy around us.
After the sermon, as a greeting, all the women received roses. Vladyka continued communicating with the flock at the festive meal.
Patriarchal Exarch for Southeast Asia Performed Great Consecration of the Church of Archangel Michael in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Celebrated Divine Liturgy in Newly-consecrated Church
Diocesan Meeting of Clergy of Diocese of Singapore was Held, in which Clergy from Parishes in Singapore and Malaysia Took Part
