On September 26 the Church celebrates the Founding of the Resurrection Church at Jerusalem. In honor of this event, the oldest stone temple on the Don, our Army Cathedral of Christ’s Resurrection, was consecrated. The Cossacks, with great respect for the main Christian holiday, Easter, did not dare to name the temple in honor of the Resurrection of Christ, but followed the ancient tradition, according to which there could be only one temple of the Resurrection – in Jerusalem.

Throughout the past year, our parish has been diligently preparing for the upcoming celebrations of the 300th anniversary of the cathedral. It is difficult to even list everything that has been done during this time by our parishioners and all who are not indifferent to the fate of the Shrine of the Don region. The territory adjacent to the cathedral was landscaped, some icons and elements of the iconostasis were restored, a festive exposition was prepared, and restoration of the bell tower began.

On the feast day of the Resurrection Cathedral, it is joyful to see that this majestic and unique temple has not turned into just a landmark, museum or memorial, but continues to be a place uniting people around God. The fact that the cathedral lives, that the parish life is being reborn, is a great miracle that is performed by the grace of God.

The culmination of the celebration of the anniversary of the cathedral was the Divine Liturgy, headed by Metropolitan of Rostov and Novocherkassk Mercury, and co-served by senior priest Valery Voloshchuk, members of the Diocesan Council and clergy of the Rostov diocese. Not only the regular parishioners of the cathedral prayed and communed at the liturgy, but also many Cossacks and the military, including Deputy Commander of the Southern Military District, Major General Vladimir Levontievich Zharov, Cossack General Nikolai Ivanovich Kozitsyn, First Deputy Ataman of the Great Don Army, Mikhail Anatolyevich Bespalov.

It is noteworthy that, according to tradition, the liturgy on the day of the Founding of the Resurrection Church at Jerusalem is celebrated by the Easter rite. Under the arches of the cathedral the sticheras of Easter, the chants of the Bright Week and Easter greetings were sung.

Congratulations to all on the patronal feast of the Army Cathedral of Christ’s Resurrection!

Christ is Risen!