Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk led the celebration at the church of the Ss Cyril and Methodius Institute of Post-Graduate Studies
On September 11, the thirteenth week after the Pentecost, the day of the beheading of St. John the Forerunner, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Beheading of St John the Baptist in-the-Woods in Moscow. This church is part of the Chernigov Patriarchal Metochion, which houses the Ss Cyril and Methodius Institute of Post-Graduate Studies (CMI).
The archpastor was assisted by the rector of the Ss Cyril and Methodius Institute of Post-Graduate Studies, chairman of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, and the head researcher of the CMI, Hegumen Arseny (Sokolov), the CMI Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Hieromonk Pavel (Cherkasov), the head of the CMI Department of Doctoral Studies, Archpriest Alexis Marchenko, the head of the CMI Additional Education Department, Priest George Balanovsky, and clergy of the parish.
The staff and teachers of the CMI participated in the prayers.
At the special litany, petitions were lifted up for the healing of those possessed by the pernicious passion of drinking wine.
After the Litany, Metropolitan Anthony read a prayer for those afflicted with the disease of drunkenness.
At the end of the Liturgy, glorification and prayers were offered to the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John.
Archpriest Maxim Kozlov then addressed Metropolitan Anthony, heartily thanking him for praying together on this festive day.
"We very much hope that the good beginning of your prayerful presence today will continue in the churches of the Chernigov Metochion, as well as your participation in the life of the Ss Cyril and Methodius Institute of Post-Graduate Studies. We made today our initial agreements on the good cooperation between the CMI and the Department for External Church Relations which you head," said, in particular, the Rector of the CMI.
As a memorable gift, Archpriest Maxim presented Metropolitan Anthony with an image of the Mother of God of Korsun.
In response, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, congratulated all those present on the holy feast and conveyed the good wishes of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'.
The hierarch also delivered a sermon, at the end of which he heartily thanked Archpriest Maxim Kozlov for the invitation to share the joy of prayer, for the kind words and the memorable gift.
"For several years I bore the title of Metropolitan of Korsun, and I have the fondest memories of the years I spent as a minister of the diocese of Korsun. The image of Our Lady of Korsun will be present in my room and when I'll pray in front of it, I will remember you, this holy church and our prayer together today," said the Chairman of the DECR.
Metropolitan Anthony wished the Rector of the Ss Cyril and Methodius Institute of Post-Graduate Studies strength and help of God in his responsible service, expressing hope that the Department for External Church Relations will find good employees from among the graduates of the Ss Cyril and Methodius Institute of Post-Graduate Studies.
"I once again heartily congratulate you on the feast day and thank you for the opportunity to pray with all today. God bless you all," - said the DECR chairman in conclusion.