Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk leads celebrations at Moscow Metochion of Serbian Orthodox Church on its patronal feast
DECR Communication Service, 12/07/2025
On 12th July 2025, commemoration day of the Holy Glorious and All-Praised Peter and Paul, Leaders of the Apostles, the Moscow Metochion of the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrated its patronal feast.
The Divine Liturgy in Saints Peter and Paul Church at Yauza Gates was celebrated by Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations; Metropolitan Nifon of Philippopolis, representative of the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’; and Bishop Stefan of Remesiana, representative of the Serbian Patriarch to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’.
Among their concelebrants, apart from the local clerics, were Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, adviser to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’; Archimandrite Seraphim (Shemyatovsky), representative of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia to the Moscow Patriarchal Throne; Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, DECR deputy chairman; Archpriest Sergy Gutenko, rector of the Church of the Blessed Xenia of Petersburg in Lugansk; and Archpriest Milan Pantelić, cleric of the Šabac Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church and brother of Bishop Antonije (Pantelić) of the blessed memory, who served as rector of the Moscow Metochion from 2002 to 2024.
Among those in attendance were Mr Nikola Selaković, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, and Ms Gordana Bozic, Minister Counsellor of the Serbian Embassy in Moscow.
After the Liturgy, prayers of praise to the Apostles Peter and Paul were offered, along with the troparian and kontakion to the saints.
It was followed by the blessing and cutting of kolač (bread), traditional for the Balkan countries.
After that, Metropolitan Anthony blessed the memorial cross installed at the burial place of Bishop Antonije (Pantelić), located near Ss. Peter and Paul Church.
The patronal feast was also marked by a procession of the cross.
After the divine service, the DECR chairman greeted all those present on behalf of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and on his own behalf.
Metropolitan Anthony made a particular mention of the good relations existing between the Russian and the Serbian Orthodox Churches and between their Primates – His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije.
On the occasion of the patronal feast of the Moscow Metochion of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the DECR chairman presented to Bishop Stefan of Remesiana a holy panagia.
Bishop Stefan cordially thanked Metropolitan Anthony and Metropolitan Nifon for the joint prayer. The representative of the Serbian Patriarch also asked Metropolitan Anthony to convey his gratitude and heartfelt warm wishes to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill.
“There are great many ordeals and temptations in the world today. Just like in ancient times, Christians nowadays are subjected to persecutions and attacks,” Bishop Stefan said. Addressing Metropolitan Nifon, he added: “A short while ago, the tragedy occurred in a church in Damascus, and together with your Church we mourn for the victims and pray for the recovery of the injured. Attacks on Orthodox Christians are happening all the time in Ukraine and in Kosovo as well. The prayers we offer together for the victims and all the affected help us overcome all adversities and show to the world the light of Christ which illumines us all.”
The rector of the Serbian Metochion warmly greeted the clergy and the guests who attended the celebrations.