Archbishop Amphilokhiy of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semipalatinsk Participates in the 30th Anniversary Celebrations of the Parish of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ulm, Germany

On October 20, 2024, the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, by the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, Archbishop Amphilokhiy of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semipalatinsk took part in the celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church parish in Ulm, Germany.

The Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the parish’s Church of the Sign Icon of the Mother of God, dedicated to the Holy Martyrs Valentine and Pasicrates, led by Archbishop Tikhon of Ruza. Serving alongside the ruling hierarch of the Berlin-Germany Diocese were Archbishop Amphilokhiy of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semipalatinsk; Bishop Job of Stuttgart, Vicar of the German Diocese (Russian Orthodox Church Abroad); Protopriest Georgy Antonyuk, Dean of the Eastern Deanery; Protopriest Petr Stepanov, Dean of the Bavaria-Hessen Deanery; Hegumen Maxim (Schmidt), rector of the parish; Protopriest Nikolay Zabelich; Protopriest Slobodan Milunovic (Serbian Orthodox Church); Hieromonk Moisey (Vasilchenko); Priest Maxim Sorokin; Priest Valentin Usachev; Protodeacon Vitaly Sadakov; Protodeacon Archil Chkhikvadze; Deacon Sergey Hofsetz; and Deacon Evgeny Kik.

The service was held in both Church Slavonic and German. During the memorial litany, prayers were offered for the repose of Archimandrite Mitrofan (Hauser), founder of the parish, along with departed benefactors, builders, and parishioners.

After communion, Father Maxim Sorokin delivered the homily. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, the ruling hierarch congratulated the rector of the church on his 55th birthday, presenting him with a pectoral cross adorned with decorations.

In honor of the 30th anniversary of the Ulm parish and in gratitude for his pastoral care of immigrants from Kazakhstan, Archbishop Amphilokhiy awarded Hegumen Maxim (Schmidt) the Order of St. Sebastian of Karaganda from the Kazakhstani Metropolitan District.

Following the service, the hierarchs, clergy, and guests visited the historic Chapel of the Holy Martyrs Valentine and Pasicrates. Later, a celebratory event and concert took place at the city’s Kornhaus Cultural Center, attended by representatives of the city authorities and various Christian denominations.

The evening before, Archbishop Tikhon of Ruza, assisted by Archbishop Amphilokhiy, led the Vigil. At the conclusion of the service, the Archbishop of Ust-Kamenogorsk presented the parish with an icon containing relics of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Kazakhstan.