Author: Сингапурская епархия

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On September 6, within the framework of the XI General Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Karlsruhe, a meeting was held between Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and South-East Asia, Patriarchal Exarch of South-East Asia, with a delegation from Indonesia, including Reverend Gomar Gultom, President of Communion of Churches in Indonesia. The meeting was also attended by Reverend Jacky Manuputty, General Secretary of Communion of Churches in Indonesia, Reverend Krisman Barus, Moderator of GBKP, Reverend Erick Barus, Pastor of GBKP and Hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov) Secretary of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate for Inter-Christian relations.

The parties discussed the prospects for interaction between Christian religious structures and civil society institutions in Indonesia.

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On September 6, as part of the 11th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Karlsruhe, a meeting was held between Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and South-East Asia, Patriarchal Exarch of South-East Asia, and Secretary General of the Global Christian Forum, Dr. Casely Essamuah. Hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov), Secretary of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate for Inter-Christian Relations, also took part in the meeting.

The parties discussed the situation of Christians in South-East Asia, issues of interfaith and interreligious dialogue in the region, and agreed to develop cooperation between the Patriarchal Exarchate of South-East Asia and the Global Christian Forum in strengthening Christian witnessing in Asia.

On August 21, Patriarchal Exarch of South-East Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and South-East Asia performed a memorial service at the grave of Priest Athanasius Muzendi, Dean of the Church of St. Athanasius the Great in the province of West Papua, Indonesia.

Father Athanasius was the dean of the church from 2009 to 2018, and during his service he won the love and respect of the parishioners.

On August 19, on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, Patriarchal Exarch of South-East Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and South-East Asia celebrated Divine Liturgy at the parish of Equal to the Apostles Constantine and Helena in Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia.

His Eminence was co-served by: Priest Gregory Muzendi, cleric of the Church of St. Athanasius the Great in Jayapura and Priest Vladimir Vorumi, cleric of the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Jayapura.

At the Liturgy, Metropolitan Sergiy ordained parishioner Matthias as a reader.

According to tradition, at the end of the service, Vladyka consecrated the fruits of the new harvest, congratulated everyone on the feast and addressed the faithful with an archpastoral word.

On August 14, on the feast of the Procession of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, Patriarchal Exarch of South-East Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and South-East Asia led the Divine Liturgy at the parish of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Singapore.

During the Liturgy, the Sacrament of Baptism took place. Servant of God Angelina, a Singaporean, first came to the church about five months ago. Soon after, she decided to become a member of the Orthodox Church and began attending catechism sessions at the Dormition parish.

At the end of the service, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and South-East Asia awarded the cleric of the church, priest Evgeny Shmelev, with the right to wear a gold-colored pectoral cross.

In his sermon, Vladyka Sergiy noted that the path of a Christian is not easy and, similar to the path of Jesus Christ Himself, it runs through Golgotha. But whenever, in fear of the storms of life, we lose faith and it seems that the trials will cover us with our heads, we, like the apostle Peter, must immediately turn our eyes back to Christ and hold on to His hand, not just with faith, but with full trust. And then, we will understand that “we are the happiest people among all because we are the citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven! Our Lord is the God of great Love. And having shown us the right path, He also helps us to complete it!”

July 27 and 28, on the day of memory of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir, the day of the Baptism of Rus, Patriarchal Exarch of South-East Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and South-East Asia led the divine services of the patronal feast at the Archpastor’s’ Metochion of St. Vladimir’s Church in the city of Bekasi. On the eve of the feast, Metropolitan Sergiy celebrated the All-Night Vigil, and on the day of the commemoration he led the service of the Divine Liturgy.

His Eminence was co-served by: Priest Boris Setiavan, Dean of the Church of the Apostle Thomas in Jakarta; Priest Barnabas Van Basten, Dean of the Church of St. Basil the Great in Boyolali; Priest Moses Christianto, Dean of the Church of the Holy Great Martyr Paraskeva in the city of Tomokhon; Hierodeacon Yuvenaly (Marushchak), Senior Deacon of the Patriarchal Exarchate of South-East Asia; Deacon Dorotheos Gunavan, Cleric of the Archpastor’s Metochion of St Vladimir’s Church in Bekasi; Deacon Damian Darmavan, cleric of the church of St. Thomas in Jakarta.

At the end of the service, Metropolitan Sergiy congratulated the parishioners on the patronal feast and addressed the faithful with an archpastoral word. After that, a festive meal took place, during which Vladyka communicated with the parishioners of the Metochion.