December 5, 2023 marked the fifteenth anniversary of the blessed death of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia.
On this day, the Divine Liturgy at the Epiphany Cathedral in Yelokhov, Moscow, where His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II is buried, was celebrated by Metropolitan Arseny of Lipetsk and Zadonsky, co-served by the head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Moscow Patriarchate, rector of the Epiphany Cathedral, Archbishop Thomas of Odintsovo and Krasnogorsk, Protopresbyter Vladimir Divakov, Archpriest Mikhail Ryazantsev, and a host of metropolitan clergy.
At the end of the Liturgy, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Metropolitan Gregory of the Resurrection, First Vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, managing the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate, celebrated a memorial service at the tomb of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy in the Annunciation Chapel of the Epiphany Cathedral.
Numerous believers prayed at the tomb of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II — clergy, abbesses and residents of nunneries, monastics and laypeople.
Before the funeral service, Metropolitan Gregory addressed the audience in the church with a word.
"The church renaissance is connected with the time of the Primacy of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II. The Church had a lot of opportunities in those years, and he was the driving force behind those processes. Temples that had been destroyed, desecrated and desecrated in the past were reopened. Temples were built where there had never been any. New diocesan centers were established. Educational institutions were opened, the Church could once again testify to its faith with good deeds, social service developed, the care of military personnel began, and many other good deeds began, which previously had only to be dreamed of, Metropolitan Gregory said. — Under His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II, a host of new martyrs and confessors of the Russian Church, many saints of God, were glorified. Russian Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Church Abroad have overcome the mediastinum, thanks to the unceasing efforts of His Holiness Patriarch Alexei II."
"Many people remember His Holiness Patriarch Alexei II as a kind man, as a pastor who instructed, who admonished, who did everything to make our Church flourish, so that we, dear bishops, fathers, brothers and sisters, would have the opportunity to sincerely turn to our God, the opportunity to embark on the path of God's Kingdom. And now, under the leadership of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, we are continuing and developing what we started and what His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II approved," said the managing director of the Moscow Patriarchate and conveyed His Holiness's blessing to the audience.
A wreath was laid on the tomb by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. Metropolitan Gregory, Metropolitan Arseny, and Archbishop Thomas laid bouquets of white roses.
At the end of the memorial service, the bishops and clergy worshiped the relics of St. Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow, and the venerated list of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.