Archbishop Theodore performed a prayer service before the ancient Cossack rite of “Mounting on a Horse”translated

On October 14, on the Feast of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, in the Naval Cathedral of the Archangel Michael in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the Head of the Diocese, Archbishop Theodore, performed a prayer service before the start of the ancient Cossack rite “Mounting on a Horse.” Concelebrating with the Bishop was Hieromonk Nestor (Smirnov), secretary of the diocesan administration and Cossack priest, teacher of Cossack classes, Priest Roman Nikitin.

The prayer service was attended by atamans of the Kamchatka Cossacks Byankin Nikolai Vasilievich and Makhinya Viktor Vladimirovich, teachers and students of Cossack classes in the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, parents.

At the end of the service, Archbishop Theodore addressed those gathered with parting words. The Bishop recalled the significance of the Feast of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, and also told the children about the initiation into warriors of the Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky at the age of 4 years, and wished the young Cossacks to grow up to be true defenders of their Fatherland.

Next, on the territory of the St. Panteleimon Monastery near the Naval Cathedral, the Cossack ritual “Mounting on a Horse” took place.

“Mounting a horse” is an ancient Cossack ritual that symbolizes the transition of a boy from infancy to the world of men, warriors and protectors. He…