The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the Name Day of her Primate
20.03.2003 · English
THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH CELEBRATES THE NAME DAY OF HER PRIMATE
Hundreds of Orthodox Muscovites came on February 25, 2003, to the Church of Christ the Saviour to congratulate the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church on his Name-Day. On the Day of Our Lady of Kazan and St. Alexis of Moscow, a festive divine service took place there during which His Holiness was assisted by an assembly of hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church as well as representatives of Local Orthodox Church and rectors of churches and superiors of monasteries in Moscow.
The official website of the Russian Orthodox Church (www.russian-orthodox-church.org.ru) and the official website of the Cathedral Church of Christ the Savior (www.xxc.ru) broadcast the service live.
On the eve of the feast, His Holiness officiated at All-Night vigil at the Cathedral of the Epiphany, in which the relics of his heavenly patron, St. Alexis of Moscow, All Russia’s wonder-worker, are found.
Speaking on behalf of the whole Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Vladimir congratulated His Holiness the Patriarch, saying in particular, “In all parts of the world where there are parishes or monasteries, representations or dioceses of the Moscow Patriarchate, people are celebrating today this radiant day, ardently praying for you. It is in the hard years that the Lord has called you to primatial ministry. On the one hand, the persecution of the Church seems to have stopped as she has been given some rights and opportunities, but at the same time new sorrows and trials, such as schisms, divisions and disorders have come instead. But you, in the words of St. Paul, have become all for all”.
“It is not easy to carry one’s life cross, and it is even more difficult to carry the cross of the whole Church, the whole flock”, Metropolitan Vladimir reminded, “You, like Moses, have devoted yourself wholly to God and to His people in order to lead the faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church to faith, purity, righteousness and devotion. To this we all testify on your Name-Day”.
A message of congratulations to His Holiness from the Moscow clergy was brought by Archpriest Sergiy Nikitin, rector of the Church of St. Simeon the Stylite.
Having expressed thanks for the congratulations, His Holiness said: “In the period of an illness that visited me, I felt very strongly the power of the Church’s prayer. Therefore, on my Name-Day today, I would like once again to thank the archpastors and pastors, monastics and lay people – all those who ardently prayed for my recovery. Through the ardent intercession of the Church, the Lord helps me again to celebrate the divine service and to be together with my beloved flock”.
“Every person encounters both joys and sorrows on his or her life path”, the Primate went on to say, “In the life of the Church, there are many joyful things as new churches are being opened and people are returning to the fold of the Church of Christ, but there are also many sorrows. The sorrows and trials of the Church are divisions and schisms, spiritual and moral nihilism and all-permissiveness. But the Lord has given us His commandments and has taught us true and sincere love, and this is what we should fulfill and this is what we should teach our flock.
“On this day, the Day of Our Lady of Kazan, joyful for me and for the entire Moscow, we also celebrate the memory of one of the Primates of Moscow. Six centuries ago, St. Alexis reverently carried out his service, strengthening the Christian faith of the Russian flock and instilling love and fear of God in the hearts and minds of people. We are successors of our great predecessors who showed us an example of sincere service of the Lord to strengthen our flock in the faith of Christ and work indefatigably so that the faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church may not only just be called Christians but also live according to God’s commandments”.
After the service, a common meal took place at the refectory of the Church of Christ the Saviour, during which congratulations to His Holiness the Patriarch were offered by Metropolitan Vladimir of St. Petersburg and Ladoga, and representatives of Local Orthodox Churches; congratulatory messages were brought from theological schools and monasteries.
Later that day, Patriarch Alexy was offered congratulations by President Vladimir Putin who came to visit the Primate to his working residence in Chisty Lane.
In the evening, a grand reception took place at the refectory of the Church of Christ the Savior. Present were state officials, prominent politicians, spiritual leaders of traditional Russian religious communities, cultural and scholarly figures. Metropolitan Filaret of Minsk and Slutsk, Patriarchal Exarch for All Belarus addressed himself to His Holiness the Patriarch with a congratulatory speech.
A message from Vladimir Putin was read out. It noted in particular, “Your selfless service in the office of Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church is aimed to strengthen moral principles in the life of society and to augment its cultural traditions, which means to bring benefit to our Fatherland. I am confident that your selfless work and high authority not only in Russia but also outside it will continue to promote civil peace and accord and the revival of authentic spiritual values”.
Congratulations to His Holiness the Patriarch were also offered by Mr. Goreglyad, deputy chairman of the Federation Council, Mr. Chilingarov, deputy chairman of the State Duma, and Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov.
Speaking in response, His Holiness the Patriarch emphasized: “There are people of various views and convictions living in our country, but we all cherish Russia whose sons and daughters we are. In the name of the service of our people’s interests, we should all work together and preserve our common home through love and unity”.
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