Primates of the Orthodox Churches of Constantinople and Russia celebrate in the Laura of the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius on Pentecost

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On 23 May 2010, the Day of Pentecost, His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Dormition in the Laura of the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill was met at the Cathedral of the Trinity by Archbishop Yevgeny of Vereya, chairman of the Education Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church and rector of the Moscow Theological schools; Archbishop Feognost of Sergiev Posad, abbot of the Laura, with the brethren; chairman of the Synodal Information Department V. Legoida, and Mayor of Sergiev Posad Nikolai Maslov. His Holiness venerated the relics of St. Sergius and greeted worshippers with the feast.

His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople was met at the holy gates of the monastery by Archbishop Yevgeny of Vereya, Archbishop Feognost of Sergiev Posad, head of the Sergiev Posad district V. Korotkov, brethren of the monastery, and students of the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary.

His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew was accompanied by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations and members of the delegation of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, including Metropolitans Michael of Austria, Irinaios of Myriophyton and Peristasis, Emmanuel of France, general secretary of the Holy Synod archimandrite Elphidophoros (Lambriniadis), archimandrite Bessarion (Comzias), and archdeacon Maximos (Vgenopoulos).

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople proceeded to the Cathedral of the Trinity where the precious relics of St. Sergius repose. Patriarch Bartholomew and members of the delegation venerated the relics.

The Primates were vested for celebration at the Patriarchal residence and proceeded to the Cathedral of the Dormition. They blessed worshippers gathered on the monastery's square.

Concelebrating with His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill were members of the delegation of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church, including the DECR Chairman Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Education Committee and Rector of the Moscow Theological schools Archbishop Yevgeny of Vereya, abbot of the Laura Archbishop Feognost of Sergiev Posad, Chairman of the Finance and Economic Department of the Moscow Patriarchate Bishop Tikhon of Podolsk, as well as DECR deputy chairman archpriest Nikolai Balashov, DECR secretary for Inter-Orthodox relations Rev. Igor Yakimchuk, head of the Patriarch's Secretariat hieromonk Antony (Sevryuk), and ordained monks of the Laura.

Attending the service that has gathered numerous pilgrims were representatives of state authorities and benefactors.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill read the kneeling prayers at Vespers. Members of the delegation of the Patriarchate of Constantinople prayed at the sanctuary.

After the celebration of divine service, the Primates exchanged speeches.

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Primates of the Orthodox Churches of Constantinople and Russia celebrate in the Laura of the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius on Pentecost

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons