Metropolitan Nikandr celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the penal colony in the village of Melekhovotranslated

On November 7, 2026, on Dimitrievskaya Parent Saturday, Metropolitan Nikandr of Vladimir and Suzdal led the Divine Liturgy in the church in honor of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky, located on the territory of the maximum security penal colony IK-6 in the village of Melekhovo, Kovrovsky district.

His Eminence was served by the secretary of the Vladimir diocesan administration, Priest Nikolai Goyuk, and the assistant to the head of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Vladimir Region for organizing work with believers, Priest Vladimir Stupnikov.

The liturgical hymns were performed by the Bishop's Choir under the direction of regent Roman Klimentovsky.

Convicts in a correctional facility prayed during the service.

Dimitrievskaya Parental Saturday is a special day of remembrance of the dead, established in church tradition on the eve of the celebration of the memory of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica. On this day, Orthodox Christians offer prayers for the repose of the souls of deceased relatives and all Orthodox Christians who have died from time to time.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Nikandr addressed the convicts and employees with an archpastoral word and gave his blessing.

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