On the third anniversary of the death of Metropolitan Filaret (Vakhromeev), funeral services were held in the Assumption Zhirovich Monastery

On January 12, 2024, on the third anniversary of the repose of the first Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, Metropolitan Filaret (Vakhromeev), Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl headed the funeral services in the Assumption Zhirovichi Metropolitan Monastery. His Eminence was served by: Vicar of the Zhirovich Monastery, Archbishop Gury of Novogrudok and Slonim, Archbishop John of Brest and Kobrin, Archbishop Stefan of Gomel and Zhlobin, Archbishop Anthony of Grodno and Volkovyssk, Bishop Leonid of Turov and Mozyr, Bishop Porfiry of Lida and Smorgon, Bishop Ignatiy of Polotsk and Gluboka, Bishop Amvrosiy of Borisov and Maryinogorsk, Bishop Georgiy of Pinsk and Luninets, and Bishop Evseviy of Drutsk. The archpastors were served by Archpriest Andrei Volkov, executive secretary of the Department of Affairs of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, Archpriest Demetrius Syomukha, secretary of the Novogrudok diocese, guests in the clergy, the brethren of the monastery and teachers of the Minsk Theological Seminary. Liturgical hymns were sung by the small male choir of the Minsk Theological Seminary under the direction of Vladislav Kalach, a 3rd year student. After the Liturgy, the secretary of the Novogrudok Diocese, Archpriest Demetrius Syomukha, read the Christmas message of Metropolitan Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus. At the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Veniamin, accompanied by His Eminence the archpastors and clergy, celebrated the funeral service. Then the Patriarchal Exarch addressed the audience with a word of exhortation, in which he congratulated everyone on the Feast of the Nativity of Christ and noted the special love of Metropolitan Philaret for this holy feast and for the Zhirovich monastery. At the place of Metropolitan Filaret's burial behind the Church of the Holy Cross His Eminence celebrated a requiem liturgy. At the end of the prayer, Metropolitan Veniamin addressed a brief word of exhortation to those present. Official website of the BOC/Patriarchy.ru