Department for External Church Relations
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DECR chairman celebrates Liturgy at the Russian Orthodox Church’s Metochion in Tokyo
DECR Communication Service, 30/11/2025
On 30th November, 25th Sunday after Pentecost, Metropolitan Seraphim of Tokyo and All Japan and Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Russian Orthodox Church’s Metochion – the Church of St. Alexander Nevsky in Tokyo.
Among their concelebrants were Archpriest Nikolai Katsuban, rector of the Metochion; Archpriest Ioann Nagaya; Hieromonk Nikolai (Ono); Priest Alexander Yershov, assistant to the DECR chairman; and Protodeacons Ioann Fanurakis and Iakov Nagaya.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Church Slavonic and Japanese languages.
After the Great Entrance, Metropolitan Anthony ordained Deacon Pavel Katsuban into the priesthood.
At the end of the Liturgy, the DECR chairman warmly greeted the Primate of the Japanese Autonomous Orthodox Church and the Metochion clergy and parishioners on behalf of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’.
With the blessing of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Anthony presented church awards to the rector of the Metochion, Archpriest Nikolai Katsuban, and Archpriest Ioann Nagaya. The clerics were awarded in consideration of their work for the good of the Holy Church and on the occasions of special importance in their life.
Archpriest Nikolai Katsuban received the Patriarchal Letter of Commendation.
On the occasion of his 75th birthday and the 45th anniversary of his ordination to holy orders, Archpriest Ioann Nagaya was awarded the Order of Prince Vladimir, Equal-to-the-Apostles, 3rd Class.
Metropolitan Anthony wished to the awardees God’s help in their further work.
Metropolitan Seraphim also greeted all the clerics and faithful.
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