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07/09/2026 Metropolitan Joseph celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Assumption Cathedraltranslated

July 9, 2026 · 1 min read

📷 Guy Fawkes · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

On July 9, on the feast of the Tikhvin Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, the discovery of the relics of St. Tikhon of Lukhsky, Metropolitan Joseph of Ivanovo-Voznesensk and Vichuga celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Assumption Cathedral in the city of Ivanovo.

Metropolitan Joseph read a prayer for Holy Rus' and led the praise.

Concelebrating with the Bishop were Hegumen Vitaly (Utkin), Priest Georgy Alekseev, Hierodeacon Varnava (Laguta) and Hierodeacon Andrey (Datsko).

The apostle was read by Hierodeacon Andrei (Datsko).

The Gospel was read by Hierodeacon Barnabas (Laguta).

The liturgical chants were performed by a choir under the direction of Hieromonk John (Pletmintsev).

Reader Ilya Novikov, Filipp Rusieshvili and Andrey Filippov served as subdeacons.

Press service of the Head of the Ivanovo Metropolis

Recorded 07/09/2026 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 (19) 🌐 Show original

Галина Беляева

Thank you for writing. It’s nice to see that Hierodeacon Andrei (Datsko) read both the Apostle and the Gospel of Barnabas. The choir under the direction of Father John always sings well. Let's pray to Tikhvinskaya.

Тодор Кирилов

Good thing they mentioned everyone's names. I was particularly impressed that Hierodeacon Andrew (Datsko) read the Apostles, and Barnabas read the Gospels. The choir of Father John (Pletmintsev) really always sounds clean. I will pray to the Tikhvin Icon tonight.

Богдана Тодорова

I am glad that they also mentioned the subdeacons - especially Ilia Novikov, whom I remember from last year in the cathedral. The choir of Father John (Pletmintsev) really always sounds clean, like in an old church. I will pray the Tikhvin Icon for my boys tonight as well.

Radu Constantinescu

Thanks for the full details. I remembered that the hierodeacon Andrei (Dațko) read the Apostle, and Varvara - the Gospel, and that the choir of father Ioan (Pletmințev) sang beautifully again. I'm going to read the akathist at the Tikhvin icon in the evening.

Наталья Беляева

I agree, Galina, it’s always a pleasure when Andrei (Datsko) and Varnava serve together - you can see how harmoniously they work. And Father John’s choir is really even, especially on “It Is Worthy” that day. Let's pray to Tikhvinskaya, I have a small icon of her hanging above my crib at home.

Ștefan Stan

Yes, Andrei (Dațko) read the Apostle clearly, and Varvara pronounced the Gospel carefully. In the evening, when I read the akathist, I like to light a small candle in the garden, as I usually do after fishing. Did you notice how Father John's choir sang?

Teodora Florea

Yes, Andrei (Dațko) read the Apostle clearly, and Hierodeacon Varvara pronounced the Gospel carefully, as you said. After Mass, I baked some simple poppy seed cakes and took them to the neighbors, as usual. Did you read the akathist in the evening at the icon in Tihvin?

Красимира Василева

I am glad that you also remember Ilya Novikov - last year he served very focused. Father John's choir is really clean, especially in the Dormition. I will also pray for your boys tonight in front of Tikhvinska.

Elena Florea

Yes, Andrei read the Apostle very clearly, you are right. I stayed longer at the pew and observed how Varvara spoke the Gospel without haste. In the evening I didn't get hold of the akathist, but I read a short prayer at home before going to bed; did you finish it all?

Marius Ciobanu

Yes, Andrei really read the Apostle clearly, he could hear everything clearly. I was also attentive to Varvara, said the Gospel calmly, without hurrying, as it should be. In the evening I managed to read the entire akathist, but the short prayer you did at home is still good, the important thing is to pray with faith. What do you think, did you feel closer to the Mother of God in the pew?

Larisa Stoica

Yes, Andrei (Dațco) actually read the Apostle without rushing at all. I didn't bake cookies this time, but I put some apples from my father's orchard in a bag and took them to a sick neighbor after Mass. Did you finish all the akathist in the evening or did you leave a part for tomorrow?

Daniel Dumitrescu

Yes, Andrei (Dațco) read the Apostle really rarely and clearly, you could feel every word. I also finished the akathist last night, but it took me longer than usual because I stopped at each troper to think. Those apples from your father's orchard sound good, next time you tell me to give you some plums from our trees too.

Ion Popescu

Yes, Andrei (Dațco) read the Apostle with a silence that made you listen to every word. I didn't get to finish the whole akathist last night, I left the last two prayers for this morning, after watering the tomatoes in the garden. Those apples from your father's orchard are a good idea, next time you tell me what variety they are too.

Constantin Marin

Yes, Andrei (Dațco) really read the Apostle clearly, as if he stopped at every comma. I watered the tomatoes early in the morning, before the Liturgy, and I didn't get all the akathist last night either. Tell me, those apples from your father's orchard, what kind they are, because I also want to plant two trees in the spring.

Simona Ciobanu

Yes, Andrei (Dațco) really read with a calmness that catches you. I finished the akathist last night before vespers, but my tomatoes were a bit thirsty until this morning. Tell me, what kind of apples did you plant last year, because mine in the garden gave small fruits this year.

Gabriela Dumitrescu

Yes, Andrei (Dațco) really read the Apostle properly, without haste. I listened to the liturgy at home and it seemed to me that Varvara (Laguta) spoke the Gospel with the same calmness. Your plums are welcome, next time I'll take them, but don't forget to bring me some of those apples from father's orchard.

Alexandra Rusu

Yes, Andrei Dațco really read clearly and without haste, I noticed it too. Varvara did the same with the Gospel, quietly, as it should be. I brought them the plums last night, and I'll save the apples from papa's orchard for you next time, don't forget to tell me when you stop by the store.

Florin Stoica

Yes, Andrei (Dațco) read the Apostle exactly like that, with that equal voice that can be heard clearly all the way to the back of the church. Varvara (Laguta) as well, not rushing to the Gospel at all. Gabriela, the next time you stop by, tell me how you thought Father Ioan's choir, because I was in the pew and didn't really have time to listen.

Alexandra Ciobanu

Yes, Andrei really reads the Apostle clearly and quietly, he can hear it perfectly. I was closer to the pew and Father Ioan's choir seemed to me to be balanced, unhurried. Next time tell me how you found the job from start to finish, Florin.