On May 22, 2024, on the day of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from Myra of Lycia to the city of Bari, Matins and the Divine Liturgy were celebrated in the Church of the Holy Martyr Ignatius the Theotokos — the Russian Orthodox Church in Damascus. With the blessing of Blessed Patriarch John of Greater Antioch and All the East, the Liturgy was led by Bishop Roman of Seleucia, Principal Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, accompanied by Archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev), Archpriest Fida Jabbour and Archpriest James.
The service was conducted in Church Slavonic and Arabic. At the Litany of Supplication, special petitions were offered, and the rector of the church read a prayer for Holy Russia, the website of the Russian Orthodox Church in Damascus reported.
The Russian Orthodox Church in Damascus.
After the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Roman congratulated Archimandrite Philip and the parishioners of the churchyard and conveyed to them the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch John. Vladyka Roman also asked that greetings be conveyed to the following His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
In his reply, Archimandrite Philip cordially greeted Vladyka Roman and asked him to convey words of deep filial gratitude to His Beatitude Patriarch John for his attention and care for the Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church. As a memento of the service, the abbot of the churchyard presented Vladyka Roman with a cross with decorations consecrated on the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
After the service, Bishop Roman visited the Center for Children's Prosthetics and Rehabilitation at the Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Bishop Roman visited the Center for Children's Prosthetics and Rehabilitation at the Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church.
EVCS Communication Service/Patriarchy.ru
