Commemoration of Saint Mitrophan, Bishop of Voronezh, Prayerfully Honored at the Church of the Metropolitan District's Representation in Moscow

On August 20, 2024, during the post-feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the feast day of Saint Mitrophan, Bishop of Voronezh, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan conducted a moleben service to Saint Mitrophan after the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love, and Sophia at the Patriarchal Metochion in Moscow, which serves as the Representation of the Metropolitan District of Kazakhstan. The southern chapel of the church is dedicated to this venerable saint.

 

During the service, prayers were offered by the assistant to the Head of the Metropolitan District, Hieromonk Anthony (Drobiazko), the clergy of the church, staff members of the Representation, benefactors of the Patriarchal Metochion, and parishioners of the church.

 

Metropolitan Alexander offered prayers for the bishops, pastors, monastics, and laity of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, for peace and prosperity in the land of Kazakhstan, for its authorities, military, and people; and for the increase of love and the eradication of all hatred and malice.

 

The Head of the Metropolitan District warmly congratulated those present on the patronal feast and delivered a sermon on the labors and feats of the holy hierarch of Voronezh. 

 

"The image of Saint Mitrophan of Voronezh is very important to us because his actions provide answers to the pressing questions of our time. In the late 17th century, the Russian world was carefully evaluating the new trends coming to us from Western Europe. A significant portion of the people categorically rejected anything foreign, believing that all innovations were destroying the traditional Orthodox way of life for Russians. These people clung to the old rites and fiercely opposed the state authority in all its initiatives. But this path was a dead end... 

 

The wise and farsighted Saint Mitrophan, tirelessly laboring to correct the morals of his flock, standing guard over piety and righteousness, himself exemplified holiness and life in Christ. At the same time, he was a companion and assistant to Tsar Peter the Great in economic reforms, provided every possible support for the construction of the fleet, and blessed Peter to establish the new imperial capital. Of course, Emperor Peter, due to his personal qualities, was far from the ideal Orthodox Monarch, but the work of state and military construction undertaken by him was necessary, at least to preserve the country and prevent it from being torn apart by the powerful Swedish kingdom and the Ottoman Empire. And Saint Mitrophan understood this perfectly, serving as a support to the Tsar in his good deeds, but sometimes also raising his reproachful voice against the secular distractions of the Tsar." From the sermon of Metropolitan Alexander.