Service Celebrated in Oldest Acting Church in Russia on Epiphany Day

The oldest acting church in Russia is the one of Saint Prophet Elijah in Nizhniy Arkhyz, Karachaevo-Cherkessia – the site of Stavropol diocese reports. As well as the others churches in Nizhniy Arkhyz it was built at the end of the X century. Although the church belongs to the reserve museum of Karachaevo-Cherkessia, services are still celebrated there.

On Epiphany Day in the old church the Divine Liturgy and the Great Blessing of Waters were performed. According to the tradition a lot of people plunged into the mountainous river Urup on the feast day.

DECR Communication Service