Pastoral visit of Archbishop Sergey

Archbishop Sergey of Solnechnogorsk, chancellor of Russian Orthodox missions in the far east, met this weekend with representatives from the Russian Orthodox Mission in Mindanao, and celebrated the Divine Liturgy together with clergy for the Philippines and abroad.

Meetings and services were held at the chapel of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God in Parañaque. The rector, Hieromonk Alexei, and his members were joined by visiting clergy and monastics from Singapore, along with representatives from the Russian Orthodox mission in Mindanao, the newly-established Mission of Christ our Savior in Tagaytay, and many interested visitors from the capital region. Also in attendance was Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev.

The members of the Mindanao mission were encouraged by the archbishop’s concern for the progress of the mission and spiritual care for the members, and plans were made for pastoral care. With the blessing of Abp Sergey and of ROCOR Metropolitan Hilarion, in the coming weeks Priests George Maximoff, Silouan Thompson, and Hieromonk Philip (Balingit), among others, will announce plans to expand services and spiritual care for the parishes of the Russian Orthodox mission in Mindanao.

His Eminence also exhorted a number of lay leaders to accept full scholarships to attend seminary in St Petersburg, as he desires to ordain Filipino priests as soon as they are properly prepared.

We are grateful for the fatherly care of our hierarchs, and for their commitment to develop the liturgical, spiritual, and ascetical life of the communities in the Russian Orthodox mission, and we are encouraged by their prayers and support.