Archbishop of Vitebsk and Orsha Dimitry will lead the Christmas service in the Holy Assumption Cathedral
The Vladyka summed up the past year, naming its main events. First of all, this is the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the revival of the Vitebsk Orthodox Diocese, restored in 1992 by the decision of the Bishops' Council by disuniting the Polotsk Diocese.
By the way, at that time, the abbot Dmitry was the bishop of the ancient Polotsk see, who headed and has been leading the Vitebsk diocese for a quarter of a century.
Referring to history, Archbishop Dmitry noted that in the early 90s of the last century, only nine churches operated in the diocese, and 12 clergymen worked there, and in the regional center there was only one church in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.
Today, there are 150 churches and two male and four female monasteries. 200 priests perform divine services. This year, for the first time, the Christmas liturgy will be held in the Church of St. Matrona of Moscow, which appeared in the new microdistrict of Vitebsk – Bilevo.
The Vladyka will lead the festive divine service in the Holy Assumption Cathedral, from where the "Vitebsk" radio and television company will broadcast live.
Here, at 12 o'clock, a joint Christmas moleben of all clergy will be held. In other churches, the all-night vigil will also begin on January 6 at 5 p.m., and the Divine Liturgy will be on January 7 at midnight and will be repeated for those who cannot come at night, at 8 or 9 a.m.
As the head of the diocese explained, preparations for one of the main Christian holidays began several months ago. They included Christmas readings, Orthodox talks, meetings with youth, visits to large families, hospitals, orphanages, and correctional facilities.
Diocesan departments are doing a lot in this regard: the missionary department, the social outreach department, the department for cooperation with the penitentiary system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the department for youth affairs, and in particular, the Orthodox youth fellowship of St. Righteous John of Kronstadt, as well as the regional association of Orthodox women. This work is intensified during the Christmas days, with special attention paid to socially vulnerable people in need of assistance.
The head and clergy of the Vitebsk Diocese attended the final diocesan assembly, which took place in the Hall of Church Assemblies of the Cathedral Church of Christ the Saviour, chaired by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'.
In January, the International Christmas Readings will be held in the Russian capital, with representatives from the Vitebsk region also participating. Their theme is "Moral Values and the Future of Humanity."
Exhibitions "Family Icon" and "Christmas Motifs," which opened in Vitebsk, are dedicated to the bright holiday of the Nativity of Christ.
For the first time, the choir of the theological seminary will take part in the regional festival of spiritual music and perform on the stage of the Kolas Theater. On Old New Year's Day, which falls on a Sunday, children are invited to a Christmas tree. The celebration will take place in a picturesque location – at the Orthodox camp "Druzhba".
As the Archbishop emphasized, Christmas is a holiday of mercy and kindness. The head of the diocese wished everyone to meet the bright birthday of the Saviour with pure thoughts, an open soul, and love.