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08/16/2026 Metropolitan Joseph celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Assumption Cathedraltranslated

August 16, 2026 · 1 min read

📷 Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

On August 16, the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, the day of remembrance of the Venerable Isaac, Dalmatus and Faustus, the Venerable Anthony of Rome, the Wonderworker of Novgorod, Metropolitan Joseph of Ivanovo-Voznesensk and Vichuga celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Assumption Cathedral in the city of Ivanovo.

Metropolitan Joseph read a prayer for Holy Rus'.

Concelebrating with the Bishop were Hieromonk John (Pletmintsev), Abbot Vitaly (Utkin), Hieromonk Feofan (Naumov), Protodeacon Pavel Konik, Hierodeacon Avksentiy (Fokin) and Hierodeacon Andrey (Datsko).

The apostle was read by Hierodeacon Auxentius (Fokin).

The Gospel was read by Protodeacon Pavel Konik.

The service of hymns was performed by the bishop's male choir under the direction of Deacon Kirill Shtanin.

The subdeacons were Deacon Sergius Vityazev, Philip Rusieshvili, Andrei Filippov, Alexander Filippov, Pavel Romashenko and Nikolai Kalinkin.

Press service of the Head of the Ivanovo Metropolis

Entry 08/16/2026 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 (6) 🌐 Show original

Florin Matei

Glory to God! I was glad that the Apostle hierodeacon Avxentius (Fokin) read, I know him from last year's visit to Ivanov. And the choir sounded beautiful under deacon Kiril Stanin, as usual.

Hannah Collins

Good to see Metropolitan Joseph serving there again. I noticed he read the prayer for Holy Rus, and it was nice that Hierodeacon Auxentius (Fokin) read the Apostle – he always has a clear voice. The choir under deacon Kirill Shtanin sounded steady as usual.

Nicolae Stoica

Praise God for the Liturgy. I was glad that Hierodeacon Avxentius (Fokin) read the Apostle, I remember it from last year's visit when I went to Ivanov with some friends. The choir under Deacon Kiril Stanin sounded solid again, as usual.

Ioana Stan

I am also glad that Hierodeacon Avxentius read the Apostle, his voice is heard clearly and with reverence. Last year I also went to Ivanov with my sister, but I didn't catch him at the table. Kiril Stanin's choir never disappoints, it seems to raise the whole cathedral.

Daniela Marin

I am glad that you remembered hierodeacon Avxentius exactly from last year's visit. I went to Ivanov two years ago with my husband and daughter, but I did not catch him reading the Apostle. Anyway, that Liturgy stayed in my mind especially for the prayer about Holy Russia that Metropolitan Joseph read.

Sarah Moore

Yes, it was good to see him back at the cathedral. I always notice how steady the choir sounds under deacon Kirill Shtanin too. Did you catch the Gospel reading by protodeacon Pavel Konik? He read it with real weight.