His Holiness Patriarch Alexy celebrates the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts and a thanksgiving at the Church of Our Lady of Tikhvin at Alekseyevskoye

On March 30, the Commemoration Day of St. Alexis the Man of God, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia celebrated the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts and a thanksgiving at the Church of Our Lady of Tikhvin at Alekseyevskoye.

He was assisted by bishop Alexander of Dmitrov.

Having thanked Bishop Alexander and the clergy and faithful for sharing in prayer, the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church addressed the congregation, saying in particular:

‘We believe that St. Alexis the Man of God, who devoted his life to the service of God, prays and intercedes for all who prayerfully turn to him for help and support.

‘It is the Week of the Adoration of the Cross, the middle of Lent. The Cross of Christ, which is taken out to the center of churches on the Sunday of the Adoration of the Cross, reminds us of the redemptive sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour on the Cross – the sacrifice he offered for us, men, and for our salvation.

‘Those who has been weakened by fasting and praying, just as all of us, have been reminded by the Lord’s Cross brought out to the center of the church that every one of us has his or her own cross of life and it is given to each according to his or her strength. When we feel unhappy we should turn to the saving power of the Life-Giving Cross asking that the Lord, by the power of the Honorable Cross, may strengthen us in our lesser cross-bearing in life.’

Greeting the rector of the church, His Holiness noted, ‘I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulation to the Father Rector Archpriest Arkady on the jubilee he has just marked. Out of 75 years of his life he devoted 53 years to the service at the Lord’s altar. We appreciate the work you have carried out both inside and outside of our Motherland.

‘We believe that the Heavenly Queen gives you strength now as you serve as rector of the Church of Our Lady of Tikhvin and will give you strength for your further work, and the intercession of St. Alexis the Man of God will continue helping you to carry out your pastoral duties for the glory of God. The parish appreciates you, and we can see your pastoral efforts. May the Lord preserve you for many years.’

From Sedmitsa.ru