Author: Сингапурская епархия

On January 22, the 32^nd Sunday after Pentecost and after Theophany, the day of commemorating Holy Hierarch Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, the wonderworker, the Patriarchal Exarch of South-East Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and South-East Asia, led the service of the Divine Liturgy in 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; Hegumen Pavel (Khokhlov), Rector of the Church of the Archangel Michael in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; clerics of the Church of the Dormition: Priest Evgeny Shmelev, Priest Dimitry Lavrentiev, Hierodeacon Juvenaly (Marushchak), and Deacon Dimitry Semash.

At the end of the divine service, Metropolitan Sergiy cordially greeted the faithful and addressed the audience with his archpastoral word.

In his sermon, Vladyka Sergiy turned to the Sunday Gospel reading – when, the Lord, after His baptism in the waters of the Jordan received from the Holy Prophet John the Baptist, retired for forty days to the wilderness and was then tempted by the devil before going out to preach.

In this way, the Lord shows us an example of how to preserve the grace received in Baptism and other Sacraments of the Church, including one of the most important ones – the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Why does the Saviour begin His preaching by repeating St. John the Baptist’s famous call: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17)? In this way, the Lord shows us a direct connection between repentance and His Kingdom. He invites everyone to come in and stay forever in the Kingdom of Heaven, but there is an obstacle—our own sins. He also showed the way to overcome them – repentance and self-control. “Only then will we be able to do good deeds and sow the word of God, like Christ Himself, who went out to preach and began to heal the suffering only after fasting and temptations”, – concluded Vladyka.

On the same day, the rite of the Great Blessing of the Waters of the Ocean was performed, and then a traditional parish picnic was held, at which those who wished could immerse themselves in the blessed waters and then have warm friendly conversations over a home-made meal and even participate in joint games.

On January 7, on the feast of the Nativity of the Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, the Patriarchal Exarch of South-East Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and South-East Asia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Archpastor’s Metochion of St. Vladimir’s Church in Bekasi, Indonesia. On the eve of the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, Metropolitan Sergiy performed the All-Night Vigil.

His Eminence was co-served by the clergy of the church.

On the sacrament verse, the Nativity message of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia was read out.

At the end of the Divine service, Bishop Sergiy congratulated everyone on the feast of the Nativity of Christ and addressed the faithful with the archpastoral word. After that, according to tradition, a festive meal was held.

On the morning of January 6, during the vespers of the Nativity of Christ (Nativity Eve), the Patriarchal Exarch of South-East Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and South-East Asia, headed the service of the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great at the Archpastor metochion of St. Vladimir’s Church in Bekasi, Indonesia. At the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Sergiy ordained Ammon S. to the rank of deacon.

His Eminence was assisted by the clerics of the Archpastor metochion of St. Vladimir’s Church in Bekasi, Hieromonk Cyril (Situmeang) and Hieromonk Methodiy (Sugiarto); Hierodeacon Juvenaly (Marushchak), Senior Deacon of the Patriarchal Exarchate of South-East Asia, Deacon Dorothey Gunavan, Cleric of the Archpastor metochion of St. Vladimir’s Church and Deacon Damian Darmavan, Cleric of the church of the apostle Thomas in Jakarta.

At the end of the divine service, Metropolitan Sergiy congratulated the parishioners on Christmas Eve and addressed the faithful with an archpastoral word. Then, a traditional meal was held, during which Bishop Sergiy talked with the parishioners of the metochion.

By decree of Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and South-East Asia, Deacon Ammon S. was appointed a full-time deacon of the Archpastor metochion of St. Vladimir’s Church in Bekasi, Republic of Indonesia.

On December 25, the 28th Sunday after Pentecost, of the Holy Forefathers, and the feast day of St. Spyridon of Tremithus, Patriarchal Exarch of South-East Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and South-East Asia, headed the service of the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Ostankino, Moscow.

His Eminence was co-served by the clergy of the church.

At the end of the divine service, Metropolitan Sergiy congratulated everyone on Sunday and addressed the faithful with his archpastoral word.