On June 15, 2024, Bishop Alexy of Baku and Azerbaijan and Archbishop Theophylact of Pyatigorsk and Cherkessia, who was acting as administrator of the Bakin Diocese in 2021-2024, arrived in Baku. At the airport, the bishops were met by Archpriest Dionisy Svechnikov, secretary of the Baku Diocesan Administration, and the clergy of the diocese.
The bishops were met by Archpriest Dionisy Svechnikov, secretary of the Baku Diocesan Administration, and clergy of the diocese.
From the airport the bishops proceeded to the Cathedral of St. Myrrh-bearing Women of Baku, where a thanksgiving prayer service was held. Bishop Alexis addressed the faithful with a welcoming speech and gave them archpastoral blessing.
In the evening, Archbishop Theophylact and Bishop Alexis celebrated the All-Night Vigil at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baku. Archpriest Dionisy Svechnikov and the clergy of the Baku Diocese served the bishops. After the service Vladyka Alexis addressed to the praying people with words of greeting and archpastoral edification.
On June 16, in the Week of the 7th Easter, the Holy Fathers of the I Ecumenical Council, Archbishop Theophylact and Bishop Alexis celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women. The bishops were served by the rector of the monastery in honor of the First-Faithful Apostles. At the end of the Liturgy, Archbishop Theophylact presented the new Bishop of Baku and Azerbaijan to the audience.
At the end of the Liturgy, Archbishop Theophylact presented the new Bishop of Baku and Azerbaijan to those gathered in the church. Bishop Alexy thanked Archbishop Theophylact for his works for the glory of the Orthodox Church in the land of Azerbaijan and addressed the faithful with a welcoming speech.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Azerbaijan M.N. Evdokimov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Azerbaijan A.A. Ravkov, employees of the embassies of Russia and Belarus, representative of the State Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Work with Religious Organizations were present in the church.
On the same day Vladyka Alexy visited the oldest Orthodox Church of the capital of Azerbaijan — the Church of Archangel Michael within the framework of familiarization with the parishes of the diocese entrusted to him. Archbishop Theophylact also visited the parish. In the temple the bishops were welcomed by the rector of the parish Archpriest Methodius Efendiyev, clergy, staff and parishioners. Vladyka Alexy gave the faithful archpastoral blessing, familiarized himself with the temple complex and parish building, asked the rector about the life of the parish.
June 17 Bishop Alexis celebrated a requiem liturgy at the tomb of the first bishop of the restored Baku Diocese Archbishop Alexander (Ishchein) on the first Alley of Honorable Burial in Baku. Vladyka Theophylact and clerics of the Cathedral of Holy Myrrh-bearing Women of Baku prayed at the service.
Afterwards, Vladyka Alexy visited the resting place of national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev and laid flowers at his tomb.
On the same day, a meeting of the Diocesan Council was held at the Orthodox Religious and Cultural Center of the Baku Diocese under the chairmanship of Bishop Alexy. The newly appointed bishop familiarized himself in detail with the state of affairs in the diocese, heard reports from the heads of diocesan departments and commissions, and outlined the prospects for further work.
According to the website of the Baku Diocese
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