On Friday of the 7th week after Pentecost, July 17, on the day of the patronal feast of our parish, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the church.
The divine service was presided over by the rector of the parish, Archpriest Vadim Zakrevsky.
Concelebrating with Father Vadim was the rector of the parish in Cannes, Father Georgy Sheshko.
In his sermon, the rector drew attention to two important aspects that make it possible to understand more deeply the role of Emperor Nicholas II and the royal family both in the destiny of the state and from the Christian point of view.
Responding to the widespread criticism directed at the royal family, in particular the Sovereign’s decision to abdicate the throne, Father Vadim emphasized that from the standpoint of Christian spiritual struggle this decision was spiritually correct, although exceedingly difficult.
Particular attention was also given to why the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers bear precisely such a rank.
The rector noted that they accepted a martyr’s death at the hands of their own compatriots, their own people, which made their sufferings especially profound and increased the тяжесть of the trials they endured.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, according to the good parish tradition, a festive meal took place, uniting the clergy and parishioners on the day of the patronal celebration (as Father Vadim indicated: “a little Pascha” for our parish).