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On the Day of Knowledge, Bishop Thomas Thomas performed the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Nativity of Christ at the Rozhdestveno-Kutaisov estate in the Istra districttranslated

September 3, 2026 · 1 min read

On September 1, the Day of Knowledge, Archbishop Thomas of Odintsovo and Krasnogorsk celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Nativity of Christ at the Rozhdestveno-Kutaisov estate in the Istra district. More than 350 students of the Orthodox school “Rozhdestvo”, as well as their parents and teachers, gathered for the service.

His Eminence was served by the acting dean of the Istra district, Priest Pavel Malkin, the rector of the church, Archpriest Alexander Elatomtsev, and the clergy of the deanery. During the service, a combined choir of teachers and students from the Rozhdestvo school sang under the direction of regent Alexei Yuryevich Pushkin.

After the festive liturgy and prayer service before the start of the teaching, Vladyka greeted all those gathered, noted that the Orthodox school “Rozhdestvo” this year was awarded the title “Best private school in the Moscow region” (3rd place in the ranking of the Ministry of Education), awarded the school director Valeria Feliksovna Schwartz with the medal of St. Ferapont of Mozhaisk, III degree, and mathematics teacher Lyubov Anatolyevna Zhirkin - a bishop's charter.

Parishioners with children and clergy from the district warmly greeted the bishop, presenting flowers and gifts. Archbishop Thomas blessed everyone...

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

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Gabriela Gheorghiu

Praise God for this beautiful liturgy! I am glad that the school "Rozhdestvo" took the 3rd place in the ranking and that the principal Valeria Felixovna and the mathematics teacher Liubov Anatolievna received a reward. The children sang with so much soul, it can be seen that they have good teachers.

Богдан Коваленко

It is good that Bishop Thomas paid attention to the school and awarded Valerya Feliksivna and Lyubov Anatoliivna. 350 children at the liturgy is serious, it is clear that the matter is going on. And our choir in Odessa also often sings with teachers and students, it's always nice to listen.

Юлія Гончар

Yes, 350 children at the Liturgy is really impressive, you can immediately see how the school lives. We also have several schools with a church choir in Kharkiv, but such a scale rarely happens. And tell me, Bohdan, does your Odessa choir often sing at the beginning of the school year?

Максим Шевченко

It is good that the school received an award, Valeria Feliksivna deserved it. Here in Poltava, after the liturgy, children also often give flowers, but 350 at one service is really a scale. And your Odessa choir mainly sings in which church?