On May 22, the Moscow Metochion of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia celebrated its patronal feast at St. Nicholas Church in Kotelniki. The day commemorates St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, and the occasion featured a joint liturgical service by hierarchs from the Russian, Czech, and Antiochian Churches.

The liturgy was led by Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis, the representative of the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. He was assisted by Archimandrite Serafim (Shemyatovsky), the representative of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia to the Moscow Patriarchate, Protopriest Daniel Andrejuk, the representative of the Orthodox Church in America to the Moscow Patriarchate, the clergy of the church, and invited clergy. The deaconate was led by Hierodeacon Arseny (Pisarev).

Among the attendees were Slovak Ambassador Ľubomír Rehák and other distinguished guests, according to the Metochion’s website.

Following the service, Archimandrite Serafim presented Metropolitan Niphon with an icon of Saints Wenceslaus and Ludmila of the Czechs for the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Unexpected Joy" in Lebanon. This church in the city of Zahle is being constructed with the efforts of Metropolitan Niphon and with the participation of the Russian Orthodox Church. The foundation of the church in honor of the "Unexpected Joy" icon was laid on November 8, 2021, by hierarchs of the Antiochian and Moscow Patriarchates.

Photo: Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate / mospat.ru