Unique shrines have arrived in Vitebsk

The greatest Christian relics – a reliquary cross with 50 particles of the relics of the saints of God and an icon with particles of the relics of Saint Matrona of Moscow – will be housed in Vitebsk at the Holy Trinity Markov Monastery until October 12.

a reliquary cross with 50 particles of the relics of the saints of God and an icon with particles of the relics of Saint Matrona of Moscow

For the first time, a unique shrine has arrived in Vitebsk – a reliquary cross containing 50 particles of the relics of the saints of God. As Hieromonk Aristarkh, a resident of the Holy Trinity Markov Monastery, noted, Vitebsk residents have a rare opportunity to venerate the reliquary cross, because in the Holy Trinity Gerasim-Boldino Monastery, where it is permanently kept, this shrine is located in a place inaccessible to parishioners – in the altar, which is only accessible to priests.

The reliquary cross contains particles of the relics of John the Baptist, the holy righteous God-parents Joachim and Anna, a particle of the Holy Sepulchre, particles of the relics of the ancient Fathers of the Christian Church, such as Jerome of Stridon, Augustine of Hippo, particles of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women – Saint Mary Magdalene, the holy martyrs Agnes, Catherine, Anastasia, and others.

Hieromonk Aristarkh, a resident of the Holy Trinity Markov Monastery

– Currently, constant divine services are held before these shrines in the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God at our monastery, with prayers for health, – said Hieromonk Aristarkh. – Prayers are held four times a day: at 10:00, 14:00, 16:00, and 18:00. Every day at 14:00, during the prayer service, an akathist is read: on October 8, Wednesday – to the Honored and Life-giving Cross of the Lord, on the 9th, Thursday – to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, on Friday, the 10th – to Saint Matrona of Moscow, and on Saturday – to Saint Mary Magdalene. In addition, on Wednesdays and Fridays, a water-blessing prayer service is held.

Vitebsk residents have the opportunity to venerate the icon with particles of the relics of Saint Matrona of Moscow almost annually; she is especially revered in our city.

On Sunday, after the liturgy at 9:00 AM, the relics will be returned to their permanent place of storage – the Holy Trinity Gerasim-Boldino Monastery.

Elena Alimova, http://provitebsk.by/