The first Orthodox parish in Kaliningrad marks its 15th anniversary

THE FIRST ORTHODOX PARISH IN KALININGRAD MARKS ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY

A solemn divine service was held on December 19, the Commemoration Day of St. Nicholas the Miracle-Worker, in the diocese of Kaliningrad to mark the 15th anniversary of the first Orthodox parish to be established in Kaliningrad. The divine liturgy at St. Nicholas’ was celebrated by Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad assisted by Bishop Panteleimon of the Baltics, vicar of the Smolensk diocese, and over 30 clergy. After the liturgy, a procession with the cross was held with the participation of numerous faithful.

In his address to the clergy, monastics and laity, Metropolitan Kirill said in particular: “For forty years since the foundation of the Kaliningrad Region, the faithful did not have any opportunity for coming to church. Many of them had to go to neighboring republics for burial services or baptisms. The faithful repeatedly appealed to the local authorities to register an Orthodox community, but it was only in 1985 that this permission was given. The building allocated to the Orthodox parish, which was a former German kirchen, was half ruined. With God’s help and through the intercession of St. Nicholas and by the selfless work of the faithful, the church was restored in half a year, an incredibly short time. Then the church became the cathedral of Kaliningrad and later the main church of St. Nicholas’s convent.

Kaliningrad is a city where many are linked with sea by profession. St. Nicholas is the seafarers’ patron, and it is not accidental that the first church in the Kaliningrad region is dedicated to this saint, for the faithful seek his intercession not only putting out to sea, but also navigating the stormy sea of life”.

Bishop Panteleimon spoke in response on behalf of the clergy and laity of the diocese. He congratulated the ruling bishop on the anniversary and gave him an icon of the Lord Pantocrator, painted by local icon-painters for the occasion.

In the Kaliningrad region at present there are 43 parishes and one monastery. A large cathedral of Christ the Saviour is being built in the center of the city. The clergy have been involved in cooperation with the Baltic Fleet and land troops and in pastoral work in penitentiaries. Sunday schools for children and adults have worked actively. Secondary schools have started teaching Basic Orthodox Culture.