Primate of the Russian Church celebrates at the Church of Our Lady the Joy to All the Afflicted
On November 6, 2013, the Day of the Icon of Our Lady the Joy to All the Afflicted, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Our Lady the Joy to All the Afflicted-in-Bolshaya-Ordynka, Moscow.
Among the worshippers were high-ranking officials, prominent artists, benefactors and businessmen.
After the liturgy, His Holiness led the congregation in the chanting of praise before the main shrine of the church, the miracle-working Icon of Our Lady “Joy to All the Afflicted”.
Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk greeted His Holiness Kirill on behalf of the clergy and parishioners of the church. He spoke about the miracles of healings that happened to tens of thousands people who came to the church to pray before the icon and Muscovites’ love of the church, especially visible on the Day of the Icon of Our Lady the Joy to All the Afflicted.
He addressed Patriarch Kirill both as the Bishop of Moscow and the Primate of the Church whose name is known far beyond the capital city for his successful efforts for reviving the spiritual life in the Russian Church.
As a token of the service and in anticipation of His Holiness’s birthday, Metropolitan Hilarion presented the Patriarch with vestments modelled after those of St. Jonas of Moscow as depicted in the 17th century icons.
Patriarch Kirill addressed the congregation with a primatial homily and gave the church an icon with a part of the relics of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk.
In conclusion of the celebration, His Holiness Kirill gave his benediction to numerous parishioners and pilgrims.
Patriarchal Press Service
DECR Communication Service