Turkmenistan celebrated the tenth anniversary of the beginning of activity of the Patriarchal deanery of parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church

    

30 September 2018 in Ashgabat held celebrations dedicated to the anniversary. On the eve of the all-night vigil in St. Alexander Nevsky Church in the city was headed by Metropolitan of Tashkent and Uzbekistan Vikenty, head of Central Asian Metropolitan district. Concelebrating were administrator of the Patriarchal diocese Archbishop of Pyatigorsk and Circassian Theophylact, Bishop of Dushanbe and Tajikistan Pitirim, Bishop of Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan Daniil, the press service of the Pyatigorsk and Circassian diocese.

With the hierarchs prayed for the clergy of the parishes, hundreds of Ashgabat citizens. The writings of priests and laity in the parishes of the country was marked by a hierarchical awards and certificates.

In the evening the participants of the festivities acquainted with the life and sights of a beautiful and comfortable Ashgabat, visited the state Museum.

    

At the divine Liturgy, which the bishops made to St. Nicholas Church of Ashgabat, gathered thousands of Turkmen citizens. After the Liturgy the hierarchs of the County officiated a memorial service for the victims of the Ashgabat earthquake of 1948.

The blessing of his Holiness Patriarch gave the congregation a Metropolitan Vikenty: “Dear archpastors, all-honourable fathers, brothers and sisters! With great joy I send You the Patriarchal blessing of his Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill. He blessed the holding of today’s celebrations, to support the Orthodox believers in Turkmenistan, to encourage the clergy, with joy congregational prayer fill the hearts of the laity. The Primate of the Russian Church in his prayers always remembers the faithful of Turkmenistan, is interested in the life of the communities concerned that the Orthodox community in the ancient Turkmen land to develop in peace and prosperity, the believers raised their children in their native faith and culture, freely committed prayer”.

    

“Dear Vladyka Vikenty! We ask You to convey to His Holiness the words of gratitude for today’s celebration, assure believers of Turkmenistan abide by the Mother Church. We value the unity with the Mother Church as children cherish the warmth of the family hearth. This unity is an important thread that connects us with the Orthodox brethren throughout the world”, – said in his speech the Archbishop Theophylact.

At the end of worship for their members were given a concert. Poems and choral works by Turkmen and Russian authors were devoted to main values: faith, lbvi, hope, prayer. Was first performed the prayer “our father” in the Turkmen language to music specially written for a large choir.

    

Then in honor of the anniversary was given a ceremonial reception. It was attended by representatives of diplomatic missions, including Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Turkmenistan, Russia, Belarus and the USA. Also gathered for the celebration the priests of the deanery and members of their families, and other officials.

Was awarded with orders, medals and diplomas for the support of Orthodoxy in Turkmenistan. The blessing of his Holiness Patriarch Kirill the order of St. Sergius of Radonezh of III degree was handed to the Russian Ambassador Alexander Blokhin

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