« Bishop Matthew of Sourozh took part in the celebrations on the feast day of the Synaxis of the Ryazan Saints »

The past and present of the Ryazan land is woven from the great achievements, labors and exploits of the inhabitants of the region, who glorified their small homeland.  Many of them entered the annals of earthly events, and some of them shone in heavenly glory. Now their names are remembered in the host of God's Saints of the Ryazan land. On the feast day of the celebration of the Synaxis of Ryazan Saints at the Dormition Cathedral of the city, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated, which was led by Metropolitan Mark of Ryazan and Mikhailovsk, co-served by four bishops - Bishop Pitirim of Skopin and Shatsk, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporarily Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, previously head of the Skopin diocese, Bishop Feofan of the Volzhsk and Sernur, a native of Ryazan, and Bishop Vasily of Kasimov and Sasov, as well as clerics of several dioceses.

The celebration of the memory of the host of Saints who shone on the Ryazan land takes place precisely on June 23 in connection with another memorable event.  On this day in 1609, the relics of St. Basil of Ryazan were found and transferred from Boriso-Glebsk to the Nativity (formerly Dormition) Cathedral of the city, where the shrine still remains under a bushel. The celebration in honour of the Synaxis of the Ryazan Saints was established at the end of the 20th century at the suggestion of the Archbishop Simon of Ryazan and Kasimov and with the blessing of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Pimen.

According to tradition, after the divine service, all the pilgrims, led by the clergy, went in the procession through the Kremlin to the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ.

Celebrating the memory of Saints, believers are called not only to look at their spiritual greatness and beauty, but also to learn how to grow in spiritual life following their example. In this regard, it becomes clear why graduates of the Theological Seminary, beginning or already carrying out their pastoral ministry, have their graduation ceremony on the feast day of the Synaxis of Ryazan Saints. The ceremony was headed by Metropolitan Mark, acting Rector of the Seminary. Vladyka reminded that this year the educational institution celebrated its 300th anniversary and urged not to forget about the Saints, to turn to them in prayers and learn from their life.

Ryazeparh.ru/Sourozh.org

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