Divine Liturgy on the Samaritan Week
On May 17, 2020, after a break, the first Liturgy was celebrated with the participation of parishioners. The service was led by the Cathedral’s senior priest Valery Voloshchuk. All parishioners prayed in protective masks and kept a proper distance between each other. In his sermon, father Valery compared today’s and past gospel readings related to water. In the past, the angel rarely went to the font and only the first person who dived was healed. In today’s reading, the Lord speaks of Himself as a Source of living water that gives eternal life. When we are born in Christ, we are often afraid to give up what we need, to follow Christ into eternal life. We want to, but often get cold feet, and do not put the Divine priority in our lives. Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, says the Scripture, and all the rest will be added to you. At the current time of the continuation of the Easter celebration, father Valery urged parishioners to be attentive to the Holy and Divine, not to succumb to political and informational provocations; not being able to hug and kiss each other, the Easter greeting “Christ is Risen” should sound so that it had a hug, and a kiss, and a cordial approach to each other. Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen!