The Representation of the Antiochian Orthodox Church in Moscow celebrated its patronal feast on July 26, the Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel, with a festive Divine Liturgy and prayer service attended by hierarchs, clergy, diplomats, and faithful.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations (DECR), together with Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis, Representative of the Patriarch of Antioch to the Patriarch of Moscow, Metropolitan Silouan of Mount Lebanon, and Metropolitan Anthony of Zahle and Baalbek.
Also participating were clergy from both the Russian and Antiochian Orthodox Churches, while students from Balamand University prayed during the service and chanted part of the hymns in Arabic. The students are visiting Russia to participate in a summer program organized by the DECR, which includes visits to theological schools, churches, and monasteries of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a prayer service to Archangel Gabriel was held outdoors in the church courtyard in the presence of representatives of numerous diplomatic missions accredited in Moscow.
The celebration concluded with a festive reception attended by hierarchs, clergy, and members of the diplomatic corps.
