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07/07/2026 Metropolitan Joseph celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Assumption Cathedraltranslated

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

📷 Ludvig14 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

On July 7, on the feast of the Nativity of the venerable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John, Metropolitan Joseph of Ivanovo-Voznesensk and Vichuga celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Assumption Cathedral in the city of Ivanovo. In the church during the service there was an ark with part of the relics of John the Baptist.

Metropolitan Joseph read a prayer for Holy Rus' and led the celebration of the holiday.

Concelebrating with the Bishop were Abbot Vitaly (Utkin), Hieromonk Macarius (Markish), Priest Georgy Alekseev, Hierodeacon Avksentiy (Fokin), Hierodeacon Andrey (Datsko) and Deacon Alexander Lityaev.

The apostle was read by Hierodeacon Andrei (Datsko).

The Gospel was read by Hierodeacon Auxentius (Fokin).

The liturgical hymns were performed by the bishop's choir under the direction of Hieromonk John (Pletmintsev).

Ilya Novikov and Andrey Filippov served as subdeacons.

Press service of the Head of the Ivanovo Metropolis

Recorded 07/07/2026 Metropolitan Joseph celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Assumption Cathedral for the first time the Ivanovo Metropolis appeared.

Source: Site: Иваново-Вознесенская епархия · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (7) 🌐 Show original

Сергій Шевченко

God save Vladyka Iosif and all his fellow servants. It is nice that the ark with the relics of the Predecessor was standing in the cathedral on his day. And the one who sang in the choir was Hieromonk John (Pletmintsev) - I have known him for a long time, his voice is always smooth and prayerful.

Ольга Мельник

Lord save Vladyka Joseph. It is nice that on the day of the Forerunner, the ark with his relics was in the cathedral, right before the holiday. And the choir under the direction of hieromonk John is always so slender, I heard it before.

Nicholas Anderson

Спаси Господи Владыку Иосифа и всех, кто служил. Хорошо, что ковчег с мощами Предтечи как раз в его праздник стоял в соборе. А иеродиакон Авксентий читал Евангелие — всегда слушаю его внимательно, голос поставленный.

Людмила Шевчук

Yes, Olga, the ark for the day of John the Baptist - it really turned out well. I also paid attention to how hierodeacon Auxentius read the Gospel, his voice calm and clear. And the choir under Father Ioann really always keeps the level, it was nice to hear.

Margaret Evans

Yes, it was a nice touch having the relics of St. John right there on his feast day. I also noticed how clearly Hierodeacon Auxentius read the Gospel; you can tell he prepares every word. Did you stay for the whole service?

Paul Johnson

Yes, the relics made it feel especially connected to the feast. Auxentius does read with real care. I stayed right to the end, then slipped out before the cross procession started. Did you?

Юлія Шевчук

Yes, Lyudmila, the ark was prepared on this very day, as if specially prepared for the holiday. And I also liked how subdeacons Ilya and Andrii did everything clearly, without haste. Do you often go to Uspensky for such big services?