Celebrations, on the occasion
of three-hundredth anniversary of the temple complex
of Makarovka Pogost and the tenth anniversary of
the Holy monastery took place in the St. John the
Theologian monastery on September 4-5. The celebrations
were blessed by His Eminence Varsanofiy, the archbishop
of Saransk and Mordovia.
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Meeting
of the Archbishop |
The preparations to the celebrations started a half
of a year before the anniversary. There was carried
out the restoration of the temples’ fronts, the
roofing and domes were renewed, the monastery’s
landscape was corrected and its territory was refined.
All these works were activelu supported and financed
by the Government of the Republic of Mordovia and
its Head Merkushin Nikolay Ivanovich. With the help
of God everything was finished in time and the monastery
looked wonderful on its anniversary.
 |
Meeting
of the representatives of the Government
of Mordovia |
The celebrations started on September, 4 at 5 p.m.
with the solemn All-Night Vigil. The service was
headed by His Eminence Varsanofiy, the Achbishop
of Saransk and Mordovia. The Mordovian clergy (Fathers
superiors of monasteries and Mothers superiors of
nun’s convents, the rural deans of all regions of
the republic, priests and monastic people from other
Eparchies of Russian Orthodox Church) , the representatives
of the Government, about a thousand of Saransk believers
and pilgrims gathered to congratulate Hegumen Lazar,
the Father superior of the monastery and the brethren.
The celebrations were widely covered in mass media.
Three choirs singing at once (the monastery’s one
conducted by the hieromonach Tokhon (Kobernik),
the choir of the St. Nikolay Cathedral from Khimmash
and a the combined choir of the guests who came
to the celebrations) increased the solemnity of
the Hierarchal liturgy.
 |
The
act of censing carried out by His Eminence
Varsanofiy |
After the long canonic monastery liturgy His Eminence
made a greeting speech to all worshippers. He dunned
in it of how it was important to attend the liturgies,
about its role in the lives of all Christian people.
He also told about the sense of temples’ decorating
and at last congratulated all the parishioners on
the occasion. After the service was over the guests
were lodged in the monastery and Saransk’s hotels.
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In
peace let us pray to the Lord |
In the morning on September, 5 the Archbishop Varsanofiy
together with numerous of clergy people hold the
Divine liturgy in the Cathedral of St. John the
Theologian, where hundreds of people of different
ages joyfully jointed to Christ. .
 |
The
monastery choir |
His Eminence prayed for the rest of souls of all
churchwardens of the Holy monastery – landowners
Polyansky. And later during the sermon previous
to the Eucharist there was read the history of the
Macarovka Pogost formation. After the liturgy the
Father superior the Hegumen Lazar (Gurkin) appealed
to His Eminence Varsanofiy and the guests with a
greeting speech and thanked from the heart everyone
for active participation in the monastery’s revival
and help for celebrations preparing.
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The
choir of the St Nicolas temple on Khimmash |
After the Divine Liturgy was over the guests followed
to the out-of-town residence of His Eminence where
the ceremonial reception on the occasion of the
anniversary was took place. The celebrations were
a success!
 |
The
doors of large temple were opened for all
comers
|
The St. John the Theologian monastery undoubtedly
is one the spiritual centers of Saransk and the
stronghold of the Orthodox confession and devoutness.
That’s why this Bright occasion was apprehended
as a triumph of the faith over the dreadful atheism,
as a triumph of spirituality over the atheism
godlessness and of the Light over the darkness.
For a long time people will keep in its hearts
the commemoration about this special event in
the spiritual life of Mordovian capitol.
