Archiepiscopal Divine Liturgy on the Eve of the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, the Holy and Glorious First-Called Apostles Peter and Paultranslated

July 11, 2026 · 1 min read

On the evening of July 11, 2026, on the eve of the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, the Holy and Glorious First-Called Apostles Peter and Paul, His Grace Archbishop John of Brest and Kobrin celebrated the All-Night Vigil at the Cathedral of the Venerable Simon the Stylite in Brest, with the clergy of the cathedral. During the service, His Grace celebrated the festive Divine Liturgy and, following the reading of the Gospel, administered the anointing of the faithful with the consecrated oil. Following the conclusion of the service, Archbishop John addressed the faithful with an exhortation. Press Office of the Brest Diocese Photo Gallery

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Markéta Veselá

Thank you for the message. I would like to know if there will be a video or at least some photos of the anointing with oil, it always moves me. In Brno, they also do it for Peter and Paul, but it must be beautiful in such a big church.

Anna Nováková

Thank you Markéta, the anointing with oil is a really powerful moment. Photos from that evening are already hanging in the report below the article, but unfortunately there is no video yet. How do they do it in your place in Brno - do people stand in line at one oil, or do priests go among the faithful?

Marius Ciobanu

Thanks for the news. I saw the pictures from the report, that angle with Archbishop Ioan anointing the faithful near the iconostasis seemed particularly beautiful to me. Here in Craiova, at the cathedral, the priests walk with the oil among the people just like you do in Brno, they don't all stand in line. Did they use oil from the cathedral in Brest or did they specially consecrate it that evening?

Claire Bernard

Thanks for the article. I looked at the photos in the report, especially the one where Archbishop Ioan anoints the faithful near the iconostasis, it reminded me of our little church in Lyon when we celebrate Peter and Paul. At home the priest also goes through the ranks with the oil, it’s simpler but just as touching. Too bad there's no video yet.

Румяна Петрова

Thanks for the article. I looked at the photos in the report, especially the one at the iconostasis, where Bishop John anoints with oil - here in Sofia, in the small church, they also pass among the people, they don't wait in line. It's good that they do the same in Brest.

Daniel Miller

Thanks for the report. The photo of Archbishop Ioann anointing people right by the iconostasis caught my eye too — we do the same thing here in Ottawa on Peter and Paul, with the priest walking through the rows instead of everyone lining up. Nice to see it’s the same in Brest.

Viorica Popa

Thank you too, Marius, that angle with the anointing near the iconostasis really comes out beautifully in the pictures. As far as I know, in Brest they consecrate the special oil that evening, at the liturgy, they do not use the one prepared in advance for the cathedral. How do you usually do in Craiova, do you bring oil from home or do you only use what the priest sanctifies then?

James Bennett

Thanks for the report. That photo of Archbishop Ioann anointing folks right by the iconostasis caught my eye too — we do it the same way at our cathedral here in Denver on Peter and Paul, with the priest walking through the rows instead of a line. Nice to see they blessed the oil fresh at the litiya that night.

Даниела Димитрова

Yes, here in Sofia, in the small church, they do this too - the bishop walks among the people and everyone receives anointing calmly, without bumping into each other. It is good that they do it in the same way in Brest, as can be seen from the photo at the iconostasis. Thanks, Rumyana, for sharing.

Eva Svobodová

Here in Brno, priests walk among the people with oil, so there is no need for a long queue. It's faster and feels more personal. We would also welcome a video, the photos are nice, but one would like to see the movement during the anointing.

Cristina Dobre

In our parish in Cluj, we usually bring simple olive oil from home, but the priest always consecrates fresh oil at the liturgy, just like in Brest. The anointing near the iconostasis really comes out nicely in the pictures, I noticed that too. Have you ever been to such a service with the archbishop there?

Petra Svobodová

Here in Liberec, they also do it moving between people, the queue really gets shorter. A video would be nice, I agree, you could see how it all goes. Do you have a favorite video of a similar anointing?

Иванка Димитрова

Yes, this is exactly how it is done here in Burgas - the bishop goes around slowly and everyone receives their anointing without running. In the photo at the iconostasis in Brest, it really shows that people are standing calmly. Thank you, Daniela, for sharing about Sofia.

Tereza Svobodová

Yes, in Liberec they have thought it out really cleverly, here in Pilsen it also moves smoothly and the queue is shorter. I would also welcome a video, at least I would see how they do it exactly. Do you have a favorite place in the church where you like the anointing the most?