Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth presides over patronal feast of Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Haifa

On the commemoration day of God’s Prophet Elias on August 2, 2021, the patronal feast took place at the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Haifa located at the place of the prophet’s feats. According to tradition, tens of local Arab Christians come annually to the Haifa Representation on the eve of the feast to put tents for spending the whole night in anticipation of the main feast of the Russian church.

With a blessing of His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine, the Divine Liturgy on the feast day was presided over by Metropolitan Kyriakos, a hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem. He was assisted by Archpriest Miroslav Vitiv, sacristan of the representation, and staff members of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission - Hegumen Nikon (Golovko) and Hieromonk Athanasy (Bukin); Hieromonk Pavel (Kuznetsov), a cleric of the Metropolis of Kazan, and an assembly of Arab clergy of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Among the worshippers were Sister Ekaterina (Chernysheva), mother superior of the Gorgy Convent in Ein Karem, and numerous representatives of Arabic-speaking Orthodox communities in Haifa, Nazareth and Bethlehem.

The liturgy was celebrated in three languages - Church Slavonic, Greek and Arabic; hymns were sung by the choir of the Gorny convent sisters and choristers from among local Arabic-speaking Christians.

After the Dismissal, the clergy held a procession with the cross, reading the Gospel of the day and the prayer to God’s Prophet Elias.

The festivities of the commemoration day of Prophet Elias continue in Haifa for several days, with local Arab Orthodox Christians visiting the Russian church to pray at the venerated icon and, according to Eastern tradition, to set under tents tables abounding in food.

DECR Communication Service
With reference to the Press Service of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission

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Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth presides over patronal feast of Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Haifa

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons