On July 21, 2024, in the Week of the 4th Pentecost, the Feast of the Apparition of the Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God in the City of Kazan, the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, the representative of the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis and Metropolitan Kirill of Kazan and Tatarstan led prayer celebrations in the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan.
Metropolitan Niphon
In the morning in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kazan Kremlin, a prayer service was held in front of the venerated copy of the Kazan icon of the Mother of God, transferred to Kazan from the Vatican in 2005. Then began the city-wide procession with the relic from the Annunciation Cathedral to the place of finding the miraculous image to the Kazan Cathedral of the Kazan Bogoroditsky Monastery.
After the arrival of the participants of the procession to the monastery began the service of the Divine Liturgy in the Kazan Cathedral. The festive divine service was attended by Metropolitan John of Yoshkar-Ola and Mari, Metropolitan Daniel of Kurgan and Belozersk, Chairman of the Synodal Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church. of the Department for Cooperation with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies, head of the Synodal Committee for Cooperation with the Cossacks Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk, Metropolitan Peter of Orenburg and Saraktash, Metropolitan Demetrius of Chita and Petrovsk-Zabaikalsky, Metropolitan Feodor of Volgograd and Kamyshinsk, Metropolitan Arseny of Pskov and Porkhov, Chairman of Synodal Department for Religious Education and Catechization Metropolitan Evgeny of Ekaterinburg and Verkhotursk, Metropolitan Alexy of Chelyabinsk and Miass, Archbishop Varlaam of Makhachkala and Grozny, Bishop Innokenty of Alexandrov and Yuryev-Polsk, Bishop Iriney of Orsk and Gaisk, Bishop Pakhomiy of Chistopol and Nizhnekamsk, Bishop Methodius of Almetyevsk and Bugulma, Bishop Gedeon of St. George and Praskoveisk, Bishop Vikentiy of Tarsk and Tyukalinsk, Bishop Ignatiy of Yenisei and Lesosibirsk, Bishop Pavel of Troitsk and Yuzhnouralsk.
The hierarchs were served by the representative of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia archimandrite Seraphim (Shemyatovsky), the representative of Orthodox Church in America to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Protoire Daniel Andreiuk, representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarch of Greater Antioch and All the East archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev), rector of the Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Yekaterinburg archimandrite Hermogen (Eremeev), dean of the parishes of of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in New Zealand Archpriest Vladimir Boykov, Secretary of the Chelyabinsk Diocese Archpriest Igor Shestakov, resident of the Nikolsky Monastery in Gomel, Belarus. Archimandrite Savva (Mazhuko), Secretary of the Tatarstan Diocese, Archpriest Igor Shestakov. Hieromonk Kirill (Korytko), Vicar of the Kazan-Bogoroditsky Monastery, Hegumen Mark (Vilensky), the clergy of the Metropolis and clergymen accompanying the bishops who arrived in the capital of Tatarstan.
The liturgical chants were performed by the Archdiocesan Male Choir conducted by Denis Rogov, the Archdiocesan Mixed Choir conducted by Marina Litvinenko, and the Clergy Choir of the Kazan Diocese conducted by Archpriest Ioann Barsukov.
The Liturgy was prayed by monastics of the Kazan diocese, numerous parishioners of the churches of the capital of Tatarstan and pilgrims. Among the guests of honor in the cathedral were Alexei Pesoshin, Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan, and Lubomir Regak, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic to the Russian Federation.
The festive service was broadcast live on the «Soyuz» TV channel and in the «Orthodoxy in Tatarstan» social network «VKontakte». For the convenience of the believers on the square in front of the cathedral was installed a screen, which was broadcasting the festivities.
Prayers for the Russian army and for peace were offered at the peace and suguba Litany. At the Litany of Requiem, prayers were offered for the Russian military and for peace. prayers were offered for the repose of the soul of Archbishop Jeremiah, who participated in the finding of the Kazan image of the Queen of Heaven, and Metropolitan Feofan (Ashurkov), who worked on the reconstruction of the Kazan Cathedral. Prayers were also offered for the deceased archpastors of Kazan, Abbess Rakhila (Ershova) and the sisters of the Kazan Theotokos Monastery.
Archimandrite Savva (Mazhuko) preached the sermon before communion.
At the end of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Veniamin addressed the faithful with the following words:
At the end of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Veniamin addressed the faithful:
«Your Eminence, dear Lord Kirill! Dear His Eminence, who have arrived at the feast, distinguished guests, representatives of the Local Churches! Dear Alexey Valeryevich, Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan! Dear fathers, brothers and sisters!
It is pleasant and joyful in this temple filled with people to share the celebration in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. The Most Holy Mother of God has gathered us today, attracted us with her motherly love, so that here we may pray with one mouth and one heart.
445 years ago there was a fire in this place. The people who lived here were like those walking in the darkness of ignorance. Some were enlightened by the light of faith, but they were hesitant, doubting. People They saw the difficulties of life and their hearts were swayed by it. They looked up to the sky for help, they looked around — but consolation came from the earth. There the adolescent Matrona found a miracle-working image, which to this day brings joy and comfort to people, is the source of all goodness.
The icon appeared in Kazan is known in different countries. Representatives of different nations turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary, praying before the Kazan image. And the fact that pilgrims from different places have gathered here in great numbers today shows that the Mother of God unites everyone. Her motherly heart accommodates all people, all countries and peoples. She encourages us all to daily prayer.
Let today's feast inspire each of us to fulfill the Divine commandments and to do what is pleasing to the Most Holy Mother of God and Her Divine Son, our Lord.
We heartily thank you, dear Vladyka Kirill, for the invitation, for organizing this church celebration. May the Kazan Metropolis and the Kazan land prosper, be spiritually beautified, bear abundant fruit for the glory of Mother Church and for the salvation of many!
Metropolitan Niphon also addressed the participants of the celebrations with a welcoming speech:
«Your Eminence, dear Vladyka Kirill! Dear lords! All-honored Fathers! Dear brothers and sisters!
We, the representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches under His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, thank you for your kind invitation to share with you and the people of the blessed city of Kazan the joy of the feast of the venerated Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. Today, through our joint prayer, we bear witness to the unity of our Churches in the spirit of love and peace. Every human being at some point faces the challenges of the modern world, and we are among them.
Dear Vladyka! Your church experience, spiritual leadership, interreligious activity serve as an example for us that these challenges can be answered firmly, keeping your faith, adding the universal Christian spirit to the existing picture of the world.
Happy feast, dear brothers and sisters! May the Lord grant you all, through the intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God, strength in faith and prosperity! Dear Vladyka! May the Mother of God cover you with her omophorion and keep you in good health for many years for the glory of the holy Russian Church!
Metropolitan Kirill welcomed the guests and congratulated the faithful on the holiday:
«Your Eminence, dear Vladyka Metropolitan Veniamin! Dear Most Revered Lord Niphon! Dear Eminent Archpastors! All-honored Fathers, dear Mother Abbesses! Dear Father Mark and the brethren of this holy monastery! Dear brothers and sisters, pilgrims and parishioners!
I congratulate you all on the feast — the day of the appearance of the icon of the Mother of God, called "Kazan" at this holy place. The miraculous finding of the Kazan image of the Queen of Heaven took place 445 years ago. For several centuries this feast has been specially celebrated in our country every year. It is not just a church celebration, but a real people's holiday, loved by many. Today the Kazan image of the Mother of God is in the home of every believer, this icon has won the inexpressible love of our people. And we are probably undeserved, but still ennobled guardians of this holy place.
It is a great joy to see you all today, to pray in this majestic cathedral, built on the site of finding the miracle-working icon. After all, it was here that the Queen of Heaven favored to appear to the faithful through Her image. Through Her miracles, love and patronage, She embraced many souls and led them to our Creator and God, to Her Divine Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
I wish everyone that our path will always be illuminated by the light of God's blessing and the cover of the prayers of the Most Pure Mother of God. Holy Mother of God, help us all! Holy Mother of God, save us all! As before, so now keep our Russian land from all troubles and hardships!
On this holy day, all of us living in Kazan and Tatarstan feel the amazing intercession of the Mother of God for all Her children on earth. We are all children of the Queen of Heaven — both those who honor Her only begotten son, and those who do not yet perceive the faith in their hearts. Through the marvelous miracle-working image of the Mother of God we today have the great grace of hope for the intercession of the Mother of God both here, in the temporal life, and in the eternal life, before the throne of the Heavenly Father.
I wish all of you and me to be comforted today by this blessed feast, and that the Queen of Heaven help us on the paths of our lives. Let us all together once again and again offer our unworthy but sincere and heartfelt prayers to the Mother of God!
The Most Reverend Archpastors, clergy and the faithful sang the prayer «My Preblagaya Queen».
The Most Reverend Archpastors, clergy and faithful sang the prayer «My Preblagaya Queen».
The head of the Tatarstan Metropolis also expressed gratitude to the people, whose labors have revived the Kazan Cathedral:
«Being in this We would like to thank again and again the leadership of our republic and the builder of our wonderful cathedral — the Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Nurgalievich Minnikhanov, who conveyed to all of you words of congratulations on the holiday.
We express our gratitude to State Counselor Mintimer Sharipovich Shaimiev and his assistants who restored this holy temple, and to all the good people who participated in the revival of Kazan Cathedral.
Kingdom of Heaven to our dear Metropolitan Theophan, who put great effort and prayers to ensure that this cathedral was restored.
Kingdom of Heaven to our dear Metropolitan Theophan, who put great effort and prayers to ensure that this cathedral was restored.
Afterwards, Patriarchal and diocesan awards were presented.
In recognition of his work for the good of the Church, Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Alexei Pesoshin was awarded the Order of Glory and Honor, III degree.
The Order of Glory and Honor, III degree.
In recognition of his courageous pastoral service during military operations, Archpriest Vladimir Silantiev, rector of the Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God in the village of Monashevo, Mendeleevsky district of Tatarstan, was awarded the medal of the Order of Prince Dimitriy Donskoy.
In recognition of his courageous pastoral service during military operations, Archpriest Vladimir Silantiev was awarded the medal of the Order of Prince Dimitriy Donskoy.
In commemoration of the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, the following were honored with awards: Dmitry Samarenkin — medal of St. Gury of Kazan, 1st degree; Andrey Egorov — medals of St. Gurius of Kazan, 1st degree; Nikolai Belyaev — medals of St. Gurius of Kazan, 2nd degree; Natalia Khamidullina — medals of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.
The head of the Tatarstan Metropolis presented the Patriarchal Exarch of Belarus with an image of St. Gurius of Kazan, German and Varsophius.
The head of the Tatarstan Metropolis presented the Patriarchal Exarch of Belarus with an image of Sts. Gurii, Herman and Barsonophius of Kazan.
The bishops participating in the service proceeded to the tomb of Metropolitan Theophanes (Ashurkov), located behind the altar of the Kazan Cathedral, where they sang «Eternal Memory».
The bishops went to the tomb of Metropolitan Theophanes (Ashurkov), located behind the altar of the Kazan Cathedral, where they sang «Eternal Memory»
Traditionally, a festive meal and cultural and educational program were organized for parishioners and pilgrims on the territory of the Bogoroditskaya monastery. Volunteers of the Kazan diocese held charity events, during which donations were collected for the needs of large families and social projects.
In the evening, a festive concert was held on Kazan's Kremlin Embankment.
Tatarstan Metropolis/Patriarchy.ru
