On the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky) – the head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, took part in the patronal feast of the church of the Holy Apostles on the north shore af the Sea of Galilee, the site of ancient Capernaum. The church is built upon the ruins of the house where our Lord healed the paralytic who was lower through the roof due to the multitude of people,

Fr. Roman and fellow pilgrims from the Mission, monks Avenir and Cyprian, arrived early and were heartily greeted by the caretaker of the monastery, monk Irenarchos. Soon the Patriarch of Jerusalem and all Palestine, Theophilos III arrived with his suite. His Beatitude then proceeded to the church to serve the Divine Liturgy. Co-serving with the Patriarch were the Most Rev. Metropolitan Kyrikos of Nazareth, the Most Rev. Aristarchos of Konstantine and the Most Rev. Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis and a large number of clergy from different parishes in the area. The choir, which chanted in Greek, Arabic and Slavonic, was conducted by the Most Rev. Archbishop Aristobulos of Madav.The Divine Liturgy was served with great solemnity. Many worchippers were Russian, as the church of the Holy Apostles is a parish church for the Russian faithful.

On a personal note, Archimandrite Roman asked His Beatitude for a blessing on the occaision of the patronal feast of the parish of Sts. Peter and Paul in Santa Rosa, California, where his brother Archpriest Alexander Krassovsky is the Rector, of which the Patriarch wholeheartedly gave.

Afterwards, there was offered a festal meal after which the pilgrims returned home filled with spiritual joy.

 

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