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On the eve of the celebration of the Nativity of John the Baptist, Metropolitan Alexy celebrated an all-night vigil at St. Simeon's Cathedraltranslated

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

On the eve of the celebration of the Nativity of the venerable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John, Metropolitan Alexy of Chelyabinsk and Miass celebrated an all-night vigil with lithium in the St. Simeon Cathedral.

The ruling bishop was co-served by the clergy of the cathedral, led by the clergyman, Archpriest Vladimir Manichev.

For the parish of St. Simeon's Cathedral, the holiday is patronal: the baptismal church on its territory is consecrated in honor of John the Baptist.

The clergy read an akathist to the honest, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John.

During the service, an excerpt from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:24-25, 57-68, 76, 80) was read, which tells how, according to the prediction of the Archangel Gabriel, a son, John, is born to the wife of the high priest Zechariah Elizabeth. Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, says that the baby will be called the prophet of the Most High, for he will come before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways.

During the reading of the canon, Bishop Alexy anointed the parishioners with blessed oil.

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Paul Johnson

Thanks for the report. The Gospel reading from Luke always hits different on this feast — hearing how Zachariah finally gets his voice back and calls his son the prophet of the Most High. Glad they read the akathist and that the bishop anointed everyone during the canon. Our parish should do something like that next year for our own patronal feast.

Gheorghe Popescu

We also read the same passage from Luke on this holiday. I'm glad they anointed the world with the holy oil during the canon, I think it was a busy evening. Thanks for the news.

Samuel Miller

The part about Zachariah getting his voice back always sticks with me too — that moment when he says the kid will prepare the way for the Lord hits hard. Our parish did a similar anointing during the canon last year for our patronal feast and it was a quiet, powerful thing. You thinking of suggesting the akathist to your priest?

Christopher Wilson

That Gospel from Luke about Zachariah getting his voice back and naming John the prophet of the Most High always stays with me too. Nice they read the akathist right in the cathedral and that the bishop anointed everyone during the canon. Our little parish garden looks especially peaceful this time of year before the feast.

Mark Parker

The bit about Zachariah's voice returning always gets me too — it's like the words had been building up for nine months. We had the akathist here last year and it felt right for our little side chapel dedicated to the Forerunner. Have you ever thought about reading the full Gospel passage aloud at home with your family the night before?

Andrei Lungu

Yes, that passage in Luke is the same for us, with Zacharias and Elisabeta. In our country, according to the canon, the father usually anoints with holy oil only those who ask, not everyone. Was it nice for you?

Ion Nistor

Yes, the passage with Zechariah, Elizabeth and the birth of John is the same for us. At our place, at the end of the canon, the archbishop anointed everyone with the holy oil, not just those who asked, and I felt that it fits well with that eve. Have you been to any St. John service in your parish?

Elena Lungu

Yes, the passage with Zacharias and Elisabeta is the same for us, we listened carefully. At our place, at the Cathedral in Sibiu, the Bishop anointed everyone with holy oil exactly according to the canon, as you say, and it seemed to me that it fits well with that quiet evening before the eve. Did you often go to the services of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul or more to those of the patron saint?

Yes, the passage with Zacharias and Elisabeta is really the same, I have also heard it many times in the choir. In our country, I go to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul less often, especially in the summer when it's hot in the church, but I always try to be at the patron saint of the cathedral. Were you at the anointing with that holy oil? How did you like it?