His Grace, Bishop JOSEPH Meets with His Holiness, Patriarch ALEXY II of Moscow and All Russia, The Delegation Visits Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra and Sofrino Factory - 06/14/08
Moscow, Russia
His Grace, Bishop JOSEPH and the delegation spent Saturday afternoon at the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra outside of Moscow, where His Holiness, Patriarch ALEXI II of Moscow and All Russia presided over the Vigil Service for the Great and Holy Feast of Pentecost. His Holiness warmly greeted Sayidna as he processed into Holy Trinity Cathedral, and also in the altar, where he was introduced both times by His Grace, Bishop NIPHON, the Antiochian Patriarchate representative to the Russian Patriarchate.
Thousands of local and visiting faithful waited with great anticipation for His Holiness’ entrance into the cathedral. They lined his path from his monastery residence to the cathedral and crammed inside with all the clergy and monks just to catch a glimpse of him. About 15 minutes prior to his arrival, the monastery sounded a series of bells which grew louder and louder as the Patriarch drew near. At their loudest point, His Holiness came out of his residence and went into the cathedral. Dozens of cameras and cell phones flashed to record a glimpse of the Patriarch’s entrance.
Even though many people could not get a good view of the Vigil (the services of Vespers, Litia-Artoklasia and Orthros combined), all they wanted to do was be in the 15th century cathedral with all the saints of all ages depicted on the walls, and one saint in particular whose intact body lies in state: St. Sergius of Radonezh. In a rare move, the monastery opened the glass top of St. Sergius’ casket so that the delegation could directly venerate his sacred head covered by an aer—the vestment piece that covers the communion chalice and the faces of clergy and saints at their burials.
The words “out of this world” best describe the singing inside the cathedral. The voices of the Patriarch, bishops, clergy, monks, nuns and all the people marvelously resonated off the walls without any microphones or artificial amplification. Even the deacons and subdeacons gathered together sang “Come Let Us Worship” and “Vouchsafe, O Lord” from the back of the altar when they were not attending to the Patriarch and the four bishops. Everyone felt as if they were lifted into heaven.
Holy Trinity Cathedral is just one of several parishes that sanctify the grounds of the grand monastery, built by St. Sergius in the 14th century. It is called the “Russian Vatican” because it used to house the patriarchs of Russia, along with countless clergy and monastic. It is still the epicenter of Russian Orthodox Christian monastic and spiritual life. Dormition Cathedral sits just a few feet from Holy Trinity, easily recognizable with five massive cupolas (a gold one in the center, surrounded by four blue ones with gold stars). The Lavra has an additional ten churches, chapels and refectories, which boast more than a full cycle of services daily. The thousands gathered for Saturday’s festival and worship for Pentecost crammed into the churches, which held services simultaneously.
The trip to Holy Trinity-St. Sergius simply capped off an extraordinary day. Saturday (the delegation’s first full day in Moscow) began with a trip to the Sofrino factory, a giant complex where the Russian Orthodox Church’s liturgical supplies are produced, including clergy vestments, icons, altar tables, gospel covers and much more. The five-story facility has a museum featuring the craftsmanship of its gifted artists, especially their work in gold and jewelry. The tour also included a look into the factory chapel where yet another baptism took place, and some of the workshops where some of the finest embroidery was produced.
God willing, the delegation will spend Pentecost (June 15) at the Antiochian Metoxion (representative parish) and at the Patriarchal Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
By Subdeacon Peter Samore