CELEBRATION IN BILA KRYNYTSIA

On 25 August [the Russian text says "July" but that appears to be a typographical error] Metropolitan Cornelius of Moscow and All Rus’ came to the village of Bila Krynytsia, Ukraine, for a feast dedicated to the centenary of the consecration of the Bila Krynytsia Temple of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. Father John Dumnov, Father Gennadius Chetvergov, Father Alexis Mykheiev, Father Deacon Roman Maslov, and Father Maximos Andreiev accompanied the Metropolitan of Moscow. Metropolitan Leonty, Archbishop of Bila Krynytsia and Metropolitan of all the Old Orthodox Christians came for the feast, accompanied by Bishop Paisios of Tul’chyn-Braila, Father Averkios, Father Symeon, Father Lucian, Father Ignatius, Father Peter, Father Elias, Father Protodeacon Paul, Father Deacon Andrew, and Lectors.

In Bila Krynytsia Archbishop Sabbatios of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Father Theodore Govorov, Father Leonty Sergeiev, and Father Elias Kosyrev met the delegations from the two Metropolitanates. Bishop Eumenius of Kishinev and all Moldavia visited Bila Krynytsia. Many Christians from Russia, Ukraine, and Moldavia came for the feast.

On Wednesday, 27 August, there was a joint meeting of the delegations of the two Metropolitanates. In the course of the discussion, leading to the result of fraternal love and mutual commemorations, there was an exchange of thoughts on the current questions of Church life. That same evening in the Dormition Cathedral there was the festal All-Night Vigil with the Canons according to the monastic Typicon.

On 28 August, the day of the Holy Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary, Metropolitan Cornelius and Metropolitan Leonty concelebrated the Pontifical Divine Liturgy, standing together at the Holy Table and distributing the Ecphoneses by turns. After the Liturgy there was a Moleben with the Blessing of Water and a Procession with the Cross around the Dormition Cathedral. Then there was the Order of the Washing of the Relics.

After the divine services the Metropolitans addressed those who had gathered. In the words of the sermon they spoke about the strengthening of Christian love and mutual commemorations. Metropolitan Cornelius noted that the village of Bila Krynytsia is a joint shrine, where all the Old Orthodox Christians raise up prayers “for the peace of the whole world.” Metropolitan Leonty gave the Temple a coffer with relics of the Hierarch-Confessor Metropolitan Ambrose. Metropolitan Cornelius also presented a gift to the Temple: a coffer for the relics of the Holy Martyrs Gavvedai and Kazda which are kept at Bila Krynytsia. Metropolitan Leonty gave Metropolitan Cornelius an Icon of the Hierarch-Confessor Metropolitan Ambrose with a portion of the relics.

We remind our readers that the Dormition Cathedral of Bila Krynytsia was built with the funds of the benefactross Ol’ga Alexeievna Rakhmanova Ovsiannikov. The plan was prepared by the famous Russian architect A. V. Kuznetsov. The Temple is build in Russian style – with three sanctuaries. In the side sanctuaries the right-hand Holy Table is consecrated in the name of the Holy Right-Faithful Ol’ga and the Venerable Andrew of Svir, and the left-hand Holy Table is consecrated in the name of Saint Anna the Prophetess. The Icon-screens are of carved oak, done in Russia in the workshop of N. Lebedev.

On 14 July 1908 the Temple was consecrated by Metropolitan Macarius, Archbishop of Bila Krynytsia and all the Old Orthodox Christians, and Archbishop John of Moscow and All Rus’. Taking part in the mystery of the consecration of the church were Bishop Leonty of Slavsk, Bishop Joseph of Tul’chyn, and many clergy and guests.

Comment:

We raise up heartfelt prayers of thanks to Almighty God, Who has healed the breach of Communion and restored peace to the Old Orthodox Christians of the Bila Krynytsia concord!

Glory to Jesus Christ!
Glory Forever.

Слава Ісусу Христy

Thanks Be To God !

Z Bohom
Nycholaij

Thanks be to God for the restoration of communion.

Praise God!

Thanks be to God