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Takeoff with blessing: graduation at the Ulyanovsk Institute of Civil Aviationtranslated

July 12, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 10 at the Ulyanovsk Institute of Civil Aviation named after Chief Marshal of Aviation B.P. Bugaev, the next graduation of air transport specialists took place.

The solemn event was opened by the rector of the institute, Evgeny Smolnikov.

From the Simbirsk diocese, the rector of the church in the name of St. Sergius of Radonezh at the UIGA, Hegumen Seraphim (Lyakhov), took part in the graduation ceremony. At the end of the graduation ceremony, the priest wished the graduates good health, strength of faith and spirit, God’s abundant help in their professional activities, and also called on them to be patriots of civil aviation and their Fatherland. Then Father Seraphim sprinkled the graduates with holy water.

Governor of the Ulyanovsk region Alexey Russkikh, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Budget and Financial Markets Sergey Ryabukhin, Minister of Transport of the Ulyanovsk Region Evgeny Lazarev, Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Ulyanovsk Region Dmitry Grachev, Acting Head of the City of Ulyanovsk Alexey Onishchenko, Chairman of the Ulyanovsk City Duma Ilya Nozhechkin, deputy head...

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

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💬 Comments (15) 🌐 Show original

Григорий Голубев

It’s good that Father Seraphim sprinkled him with holy water precisely after the words about patriotism and fortitude. Aviation graduates are serious, they really need both health and faith. We also train pilots in Krasnodar, but I have never seen such a blessing at graduation.

Евгения Макарова

It’s good that Father Seraphim first spoke about fortitude and patriotism, and only then sprinkled it. In Novosibirsk, we also had an air show, but without a priest, only speeches by officials. And here it is clear that the institute is really trying.

Veronika Dvořáková

It's good that Father Seraphim first talked about health, strength of faith and patriotism, and only then sprinkled holy water. It has its own order. Here in Moravia, we don't often see such a connection between the church and aviation, but it sounds reasonable - pilots need strong nerves even in the sky.

Marius Ciobanu

It's good that father Seraphim first talked about health, strong faith and patriotism, only then sprinkled with aghes. Here in Craiova, at the military aviation school, we didn't see anything like that at graduation, only official speeches. It seems that in Ulyanovsk they really give the boys a serious start.

Daniel Miller

Father Serafim got the order right — first the call for health, strong faith, and being patriots of aviation and the country, then the holy water. Makes sense for pilots who’ll be up there carrying people every day. We don’t see that at our local flight schools here in Canada, but it sounds like a solid send-off.

Jana Nováková

I agree, the procedure really makes sense - first the words, then the sprinkling. Here in Prague, at the military airport in Kbely, the planes are also sometimes blessed, but the civilian pilots are more likely to take care of it themselves. I wonder if they have a chapel or a permanent chaplain in Moravia, at least at some airport.

Lucie Nováková

Jana, I agree that sprinkling comes after the words - that has its order. Here at the military airport in Kbely, I know it from the story of one of my son's friends who served there. In Moravia, I heard that they have a small chapel at the airport in Kunovice, but they probably don't have a permanent chaplain there, at least according to what they said on the trip last year.

Marek Dvořák

I agree, the order with sprinkling after words has its meaning. Here in Pilsen, I saw a similar blessing of planes at a small airport, where a local priest did it - it was short, but impressive. Do you have any photos or more details of the Kbela from your son's friend?

Pavel Černý

Yes, the order with the blessing after the words makes sense, Lucia. Here in Prague, it's the same way at church services - first the word, then the sprinkling. I wonder if your son's friend also talked about how it went before the flight, or just after some kind of celebration.

Eva Svobodová

Yes, the sprinkling ritual really makes sense, especially when it comes to people who will be responsible for hundreds of lives in the air. Here in Prague, I saw a similar blessing at Letňany years ago, it was also short and without unnecessary pathos. Do you have any contact from the pastor from Pilsen, or was it just a one-off?

Petra Svobodová

Yes, the sprinkling has a practical meaning, especially for pilots. Here in Liberec, we had a similar blessing before the arrival of a new plane at the airport, Father Seraﬁm did it simply and without long speeches. I don't have a contact for the parish priest in Pilsen, but if you need one, try asking directly at the eparchy.

You're right, the sprinkling isn't just symbolic, you'll appreciate it especially with pilots. Here in Prague, we blessed the new helicopter in Letňany like this, and then everyone felt a little calmer. If you remember the name of the plane in Liberec, I would like to know.

Martin Dvořák

The sprinkling really helps, especially when you consider how many hours those pilots spend in the air. Here in Liberec, Father Serafim did it as briefly as he did in Ulyanovsk, without unnecessary talk. If you remember the plane you write about, I'd like to know what type it was.

Tomáš Veselý

Yes, sprinkling with holy water many years ago has its meaning, one feels calmer then. Here in Ostrava, our father does it similarly briefly, without long sermons. What type of aircraft did you mean, the An-2 or something newer?

Michal Černý

Yes, sprinkling with holy water many years ago really helps, I know that from my own experience. Here in Olomouc, our father also does things briefly and matter-of-factly, without unnecessary talk. I had the An-2 in mind because my husband talked about it as a classic that he sees all the time at small airfields.