The remains of eyewitnesses of the appearance of Jesus Christ in 1946 were reburied in Elistatranslated

On September 5, 2026, in the capital of the Republic of Kalmykia, the city of Elista, the reburial of the remains of eyewitnesses of the appearance of Jesus Christ in the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in Elista in 1946 took place.

On the territory of the Kazan Cathedral, coffins with the remains of eyewitnesses of that miracle were buried - Semyon Timofeevich Bondarenko and Maria Pavlovna Bondarenko, reports the website of the Elista and Kalmyk diocese.

Photo: blagovest-elista.ru

The ceremony and the accompanying services, co-served by the clergy, were led by Archbishop Justinian of Elista and Kalmykia.

– Now everyone who enters the fence of the Kazan Cathedral will meet a cross over their grave. At first they will be surprised: “Who are these people?”, but soon they will find out - these are the righteous who confessed Christ and remained faithful to Him until the end of their earthly life, Bishop Justinian said in his speech.

Photo: blagovest-elista.ru

The archpastor emphasized that Semyon and Maria Bondarenko “were not afraid when they saw the Lord, but served to ensure that the memory of the Elista miracle was preserved in the hearts of believers.”

“For this purpose, Semyon Timofeevich, having consulted with the rector - Archpriest Vladimir, the parishioners and his wife, collected money, ...