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Moscow, Mar. 26, 2008 (CWNews.com) - A spokesman for the Russian Orthodox patriarchate of Moscow has complained about "unacceptable" journalistic coverage of Easter Vigil services in Moscow's Catholic cathedral, at which 35 people were received into the Catholic Church.

Father Igor Vyzhanov, who attended the services as a representative of the Orthodox patriarchate, complained about a report that he was "sympathetic" to the newly baptized Catholics, and raised no objection about their entry into the Catholic Church.

Since some of those who were received into the Catholic Church had been raised in the Orthodox faith, Father Vyzhanov said, "we don't approve of such steps." The Russian Orthodox Church has complained for years about Catholic "proselytism" among Orthodox believers. Father Vyzhanov said that if he had welcomed the baptisms he would have broken from that policy.

In fact, the Orthodox spokesman said, he had attended the Catholic Easter services to deliver a general greeting from the Moscow patriarchate. "The act of baptism wasn't specially emphasized" in that message, he said.

Catholic World News

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04 December 2022

Joachim and Anna Rejoice

Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed, * for God has heard Joachim and Anna * and He promises manifestly that they, against all hope, would give birth to the Maiden of God * from whom the Uncircumscribed One Himself would be born, becoming man, * and he commanded the Angels to cry out to her: * “Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!” (Troparion - Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Today the whole world celebrates * the conception of Anne which was brought about by God, * for she gave birth to the one who, beyond understanding, * gave birth to the Word. (Kontakion - Tone 4)

Saint Nicholas of Myra

The truth of your deeds has revealed you to your flock, * as a rule of faith, an image of meekness, and a teacher of abstinence. * Therefore, you attained the heights through humility, * and riches through poverty. * O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, * pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved. (Troparion, Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

In Myra, You were shown to be a servant of the sacred things, O Holy Nicholas, * for, fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, you, O Venerable, laid down your life for your people, * and saved the innocent from death. * Therefore, you were sanctified as a great initiate of the grace of God. (Kontakion, Tone 3)