☦ Today Wednesday, September 9 / August 27 (old style) ✦ Fast day Julian calendar ⇄

Ven. Poemen the Great · Great-martyr Phanurius the Newly Appeared of Rhodes

← News feed Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)

All-night vigil at the Trinity-Sergius Lavratranslated

July 17, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 17, on the eve of the feast of the discovery of the honorable relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' celebrated an all-night vigil on the Cathedral Square of the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius.

His Holiness was concelebrated by a council of bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church, including Metropolitan Longin of Simbirsk and Novospassky.

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

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (38) 🌐 Show original

Ana Matei

Glory to God! I saw that Metropolitan Longinus also served there, next to the Patriarch. It is nice to know that hierarchs from other dioceses also come to Radonezh for the relics of Saint Sergius. An evening of prayer that I think brought a lot of peace to those present.

Irene Wilson

Yes, I noticed Metropolitan Longin was there too, serving right alongside the Patriarch. It’s good to see bishops from other dioceses like Simbirsk coming for St Sergius’s relics. The vigil on the square must have been something special.

Maria Ionescu

Yes, I also noticed Metropolitan Longinus next to the Patriarch. It's nice that he came precisely from Simbirsk for the relics of Saint Sergius, it shows how much the saint unites everyone. Praise God for such a night of prayer.

Michał Kaczmarek

Yes, I noticed that Metropolitan Longinus of Simbirsk also served there alongside the Patriarch. I wonder what it looked like in Soborna Square at night. Praise God for such common prayers.

Viorica Lungu

Yes, I also noticed Metropolitan Longinus next to the Patriarch, he was clearly in the footage. I think that the presence of hierarchs from other dioceses shows how important Saint Sergius is for the whole Church. A really quiet evening, especially after a regular day with the kids at school.

Joanna Zielińska

Yes, Longin of Simbirsk was indeed among this group, he can be clearly seen in the photos from Soborna Square. It must have been dignified at night with these lamps and candles, although probably a bit chilly at this time. Prayer in such a community always gives strength, right?

Larisa Stoica

Yes, I also saw Metropolitan Longinus, right next to the Patriarch, his face lit by candles. It's impressive how he comes from so far, from Simbirsk, just for the relics of Saint Sergius. I remember the silence of the entire square, as if everyone was praying.

Constantin Tudor

Yes, I also saw Metropolitan Longinus in the footage, right next to the Patriarch. I think his coming from Simbirsk shows how much Saint Sergius unites the whole Church, not just the Lavra. That night of prayer brought me good peace too, especially after a long truck ride.

Adam Nowak

Yes, Longinus from Simbirsk was standing nearby, you can clearly see him in the photos. In Soborna Square at night, these lamps and candles provide a lot of light, but the dampness from the grass was probably taking its toll. It's good that such joint services happen.

Petru Constantinescu

Yes, I also noticed Metropolitan Longinus right next to the Patriarch, his figure is clearly visible in the crowd. His coming from Simbirsk really shows this wide connection that St. Sergius makes. I sat in the evening with the window open to the garden and felt the same peace, without having driven a truck like you.

Bogdan Barbu

Yes, I also saw Metropolitan Longinus right next to the Patriarch in the footage. It's nice that he came from Simbirsk, it shows how much Saint Sergius unites everyone. With us, after a day cycling around the city and then with the child at kindergarten, such a quiet evening really helps.

Laura Lewis

Yes, I noticed Metropolitan Longin too — nice to see our Simbirsk bishop there on the square with everyone. I only caught the last part of the live stream before bed, but the singing carried so clearly across the crowd. Did you stay up for the whole thing?

Viorica Lungu

Yes, I also saw Metropolitan Longinus right in front, next to the Patriarch. You are right, their presence shows how great the connection with Saint Sergius is everywhere. For me, the evening ended with a cup of tea and sewing a pillowcase, after watering the tomatoes in the garden.

Katarzyna Zielińska

Yes, Longinus of Simbirsk stood out in the crowd, especially with those large lamps. In Warsaw, such night services can also be cold, but after embroidering by the window in the evening, one still likes to go for a walk. Have you ever been to a similar event in the Lavra?

Magdalena Zielińska

Yes, Longinus of Simbirsk was indeed eye-catching in these photos under the lamps. It's also cold in our garden at this time, but after baking bread for tomorrow, I like to sit on a bench for a while and pray in silence. And you, Joanna, what do you remember most from such a night of wandering?

Adrian Marin

Yes, I also saw Metropolitan Longinus next to the Patriarch, the video captured him clearly. For me, the evening was quiet after a day in the shop, with a cup of tea and a chapter from the book about Saint Sergius. Did you sew a lot on the pillowcase or did you leave it for tomorrow?

Corina Rusu

Yes, I also saw Metropolitan Longinus right next to the Patriarch, his figure is clearly visible in the pictures. Interesting what you say about the wide connection that Saint Sergius makes, I really thought about it when I read about the bishops who came from so many places. You sat with the window open to the garden – I lit a small candle in the balcony and listened to the service on the radio, it was a similar silence.

Maria Florea

Yes, the figure of Metropolitan Longinus is clearly visible, he has such a calm presence. I sat with the window open to the garden and I felt exactly the silence you are talking about, as if the crickets stopped a bit. Did you light the candle before or after the service began?

Katarzyna Zielińska

Yes, Longinus of Simbirsk actually looked very dignified in these photos under the lamps. After my night shift installing lighting in the church, I also like to go for a walk, although it can be humid in Warsaw at this time. What do you remember most about such an event – the singing or the silence after it?

Ștefan Stan

Yes, I also noticed Metropolitan Longinus there, just to the left of the Patriarch. It is true what you say, Saint Sergius gathers people from far away. For me, after a day of gardening and then fishing on Someș, such a quiet evening at work is good for the soul.

Mihai Barbu

Yes, I also saw Metropolitan Longinus next to the Patriarch, his figure stands out clearly. Interesting how about the wide connection that Saint Sergius makes, I really thought about that when I read the list of bishops coming from so many dioceses. I sat with the window open to the garden, but I didn't drive a truck, I just listened to the crickets and got a little sleepy.

Karolina Nowak

Yes, in these night photos Longinus is really clearly visible, his chasuble stands out. I remember that once, after a similar visit to the Lavra, the moisture from the grass got into my shoes so much that they did not dry out until the morning. It is good that these joint services unite bishops from different dioceses.

Radu Rusu

Yes, I also saw Metropolitan Longinus right next to the Patriarch, his figure is clearly visible in the pictures. Thank you for mentioning that silence in the garden, it reminded me of the nights when I return late from the road with the truck and open the window to our yard in Chisinau. What did you listen to that evening, music or just silence?

Andrei Ciobanu

Yes, I also saw Metropolitan Longinus next to the Patriarch, right in front. It's nice how Sergey unites everyone, even from Simbirsk. For me, after a day of fishing on the nearby lake and then a game of chess with the neighbor, an evening like this at work is really calming.

Olivia Lewis

Yes, the choir sounded especially strong even on the stream — that part where they hit the “rejoice” verses really carried. I only managed the first half myself before my shift started early the next morning. Did you catch Metropolitan Longin during the litany?

Mihai Barbu

Yes, I also saw Metropolitan Longinus right next to the Patriarch, near the middle. It's beautiful how it comes from a distance and shows this connection with Saint Sergius. For me, after a day of cables at the block and then a bike ride on Someș, a quiet evening at work really calms my thoughts.

Magdalena Zielińska

Yes, Longin really stood out in these photos under the lights. After a night shift at the hospital, I sometimes go to the garden to look at the stars, although in Warsaw the humidity can be bothersome. What I remember most about the dream is the moment when the singing stops and only the slight rustle of the trees remains - and what stays in your head the longest?

Maria Dobre

Yes, I also saw Metropolitan Longinus just to the left, close to the Patriarch. For me, after baking walnut bread all morning and then going for a walk in the park with the little girl, an evening like this at work really calms the mind. Did you catch something on Someș yesterday?

Corina Tudor

Yes, you can clearly see his figure, he has a calmness in his eyes that is also felt through the screen. I lit the candle just before it started, so that it would be ready for the first litanies. Did you manage to stay awake until the end or did you fall asleep at some point with the window open?

Daniela Dobre

Yes, I also noticed Metropolitan Longinus, he was sitting right next to the Patriarch and he was praying so quietly. My evening was busier, I sewed a bit on the pillowcase after helping the kids with their homework, but left the rest for tomorrow. What book about Saint Sergius are you reading now?

Gabriela Gheorghiu

Yes, I also saw Metropolitan Longinus right there on the left. For me, after doing the calculations at the office all day and then going up the Feleacui hill with the children, an evening of service at St. Sergius really puts you in the right place. Did you catch something bigger on Someș or just want some peace?

Constantin Ciobanu

Yes, I also noticed Metropolitan Longinus right there, close to the Patriarch, with that old miter. I didn't bake bread today, but I stayed fishing on Someș until the evening and caught two smaller carp. The job calms you down after a day with the baby, right?

Andrei Ciobanu

Yes, I saw that peace in his eyes too. I managed to stay awake until the police station, but at the canon I fell asleep with the window open, just like you. Did you smell the wet grass outside too?

Petru Constantinescu

Yes, I also saw Metropolitan Longinus next to the Patriarch, with that simple old miter. I didn't go fishing today, but I picked tomatoes from the garden until dark - two buckets full. The job really calms you down, especially after running around with the grandkids all day.

Gheorghe Popescu

Yes, that smell of wet grass after the evening rain caught me too, as if it was coming straight through the window. I resisted until the canon, but at the lines of "God, I cried" my eyes were already closing. Did you manage to wake up in time for breakfast or did you sleep until morning?

Alexandra Rusu

Yes, that evening rain brought that smell of wet grass even in our yard in Iasi. I lasted until the canon, but at "Oh my God, I screamed" I started yawning and fell asleep in the chair. Did you manage to wake up in the morning or did you set the alarm later?

Ioana Radu

Yes, that smell of wet grass after the evening rain enters everywhere, even here in Constanța when it rains in the evening. I fell wide behind the canon, but I woke up alone at three or so, just in time for matins. Did you set the clock or did all that smell wake you up?

Larisa Tudor

Yes, that smell of wet grass after the rain is something special, it seems to pull you out of the house. I didn't set a clock, I was woken up by the rustling of vine leaves in the yard at a quarter to four. Have you ever smelled that smell at the monastery, or just at home?