His Holiness Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia meets presidential envoy to the Volga federal district A.V.Konovalov and governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region V.P.Shantsev

On 13 April 2006, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy met with the Russian presidential envoy to the Volga Federal district A.Konovalov and the governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region V.Shantsev.

Attending the meeting that took place in the patriarchal; residence in the Chisty pereulok were Archbishop of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas, the ‘Rosenergoatom’ general director S.Obozov and executive director of the St.Seraphim of Sarov Foundation S.Gabestro.

They discussed the programme of festivities of the 300^th anniversary of the Sarov Hermitage of the Assumption that would be held in Sarov and Diveyevo on July 29-August 1, 2006.

His Holiness greeted the guests and said: ‘I wish to thank all citizens of Nizhny Novgorod for having prepared the celebration of the 100^th anniversary of canonization of St.Seraphim of Sarov so quickly in 2003. The first celebration of the state-church holiday, the Day of National Unity, took place in the Nizhny Novgorod region. As the programme included Divine services, the holiday was indeed the state-church and national feast’.

‘The Novgorodians will celebrate another important jubilee this year, namely, the 300^th anniversary of the Sarov Hermitage of the Assumption. This event is worth a celebration, as the Sarov Hermitage has played an important role in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church’.

His Holiness said further: ‘Today we talk about the revival of monastic life in Sarov. We should realize that the city will retain its close status and will not be able to receive many pilgrims. However, there are many believers in Sarov, and the monastic community would take spiritual care for them. Only a few monks can serve there, but they would give spiritual encouragement to the nuclear power plant personnel. The benefit would be mutual’.