Metropolitan Seraphim and Bishop Mitrofan celebrated an all-night vigil in the St. Sergius Church in the village of Solovtsovkatranslated

August 5, 2026 · 1 min read

On the evening of August 5, 2026, on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the repose of one of the most revered ascetics of our region - the holy confessor John Olenevsky, Metropolitan Seraphim of Penza and Nizhnelomovsky, Bishop of Serdobsky and Spassky Mitrofan held an all-night vigil in the Sergiev Church in the village of Solovtsovka, Penza region. The archpastors were served by numerous representatives of the clergy, headed by the secretary of the Penza diocese, Archpriest Pavel Matyushechkin, […]

Source: Site: Пензенская епархия · Read the full story →

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Gregory Morris

Thanks for the article. The timing on the eve of St. John of Olenevsky’s 75th repose anniversary makes a lot of sense—our study group just read about his life last month. Did many locals turn out for the vigil?

Paul Johnson

Thanks, Gregory. Yeah, the timing lines up nicely with what your group’s been reading. A good crowd from Solovtsovka and the next village over showed up, maybe 80-90 people, which isn’t bad for a weekday vigil. Did your study group use that little pamphlet from the diocesan press or something else?

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ნიკოლოზ დოლიძე

Thanks for the article. It's a good thing that it was on the 75th anniversary of Ioane Olenevelli that a party was organized in Solovtsovka, where he was so close. My uncle lived there and always said that people still come to Father John's grave. Choose a good time for your group to read his life.

Paul Johnson

Yeah, we stuck with that same diocesan pamphlet—short and clear, especially the bits about St. John’s confessions during the arrests. The turnout surprised me too for a Tuesday night; I drove over from the city and still found parking right by the fence. Did you catch any of the canon after the litiya?

Sabine Wagner

Yes, that goes well with the 75th commemoration. I once went to Father Ioann's grave in Solsovka and there were always a few people standing quietly in front of it, even during the week. It's nice to hear that there were almost 90 this time and that you took the little booklet out of the Eparchy again - the passages about the interrogations were often discussed in our choir.

Samuel Miller

Yeah, the timing really fit well. Our study group used that same diocesan pamphlet last month—short but solid on his life in the camps. Did you make it out to the vigil yourself, Gregory?

Stephen Walker

Yeah, that pamphlet's section on the arrests really hits home—short but it doesn't dodge the hardship. We had a few from our group drive up from the other side of Penza and they said the choir sounded particularly strong on the "Rejoice, O Virgin" during the liti. Did you stay for the meal afterwards in the church house?

Laura Wright

Yeah, that pamphlet really packs a lot into a few pages—especially the bits about how Fr. John kept praying even when they moved him between camps. I didn't make the vigil this time, had an early shift at the hospital, but I lit a candle for him at home after reading the article. Did your group talk about any of his letters from the camps?

James Phillips

Yeah, that pamphlet is a quick read but it really hits the main points about his camp years. I caught the vigil myself—made it after my last delivery run and the choir sounded especially strong on the canon. Your study group pick up on anything new from it this time around?

Luke Hall

Yeah, that pamphlet does a decent job covering the camp transfers without getting too wordy. I made it to the vigil after my afternoon route—stood near the back where the incense really builds up. Did your group notice how the pamphlet skips over his time in Serdobsk before the arrests?

Maria Müller

Yes, the little booklet is really helpful, especially the parts about the interrogations. I was also in Solsovka last year and saw how quietly people stand at the grave - it stays in your memory. Have you actually still used the booklet in the choir, or is it already on the shelf?

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