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On July 12, 2018, the commemoration day of Ss Peter and Paul, the Moscow representation of the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrated its patron saint’s day at the St. Peter Church-on-the Yauza River.

The Divine Liturgy was presided over by Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America (Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia), and Bishop Antonije of Moravici, representative of the Patriarch of Serbia to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. They were assisted by Archpriest Nikolay Balashov, vice-chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations (DECR); Archimandrite Seraphim (Shemyatovsky), representative of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; Archpriest Daniel Andrejuk, representative of the Orthodox Church in America to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; Archpriest Andrey Novikov; and the clergy of the St. Peter church.

Present at the service was Serbia’s ambassador to Russia Mr. Slavenko Terzic.

After the liturgy, there was a thanksgiving and procession with the cross, after which Bishop Antonije of Moravici greeted the congregation on the occasion of the patron saint’s day of the Moscow church-representation of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Present at the thanksgiving was also Metropolitan Niphon of Philippople, representative of the Patriarch of Antioch to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

After the service, Bishop Antonijy addressed the congregation greeting them on the occasion of the church’s patronal feast – the commemoration day of Ss Peter and Paul the First Apostles. He also congratuled Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America on the 15th anniversary of his episcopal consecration and presented him with a holy pectoral icon and an embodied icon of Ss Peter and Paul.

Speaking in response, Archbishop Peter expressed gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Serbian church representation in Moscow on its patronal feast day, which is a testimony to the unity of Local Orthodox Churches. He also reminded the congregation of the importance that the holy royal passion-bearers gave by the example of their life and called upon all to join a common church prayer to be held on July 17, the centenary of the execution of the Royal family.

Archpriest Nikolay Balashov greeted the rector of the Serbian church representation on behalf of the DECR chairman, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, and pointed to the importance of Moscow as a city in which the communion and common prayer of representatives of Local Orthodox Churches is not a rare occasion but an important part of everyday church life, which spiritually enriches Orthodox Muscovites.

DECR Communication Service