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Bishop Porfiry led the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Dormition Tadulinsky Monasterytranslated

July 25, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 24, on the day of remembrance of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duchess Olga, Bishop Porfiry of Lida and Smorgon, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Monastic Affairs and Monasticism of the Belarusian Exarchate, led the Divine Liturgy in the Holy Dormition Tadulinsky Monastery in the village of Sloboda.

His Eminence was co-served by the dean of the monasteries of the Vitebsk diocese, hegumen Nil (Podobed), and the cleric of the monastery, priest Vyacheslav Shkelenok.

The diaconal rank was headed by Deacon Vladimir Shauro.

The liturgical chants were performed by a choir under the direction of regent Olga Davydko.

The abbess of the monastery prayed at the Divine Liturgy with the sisters of the monastery and pious pilgrims.

At the end of the service, Bishop Porfiry addressed those present with a sermon, thanked everyone for their prayerful participation and gave an archpastoral blessing.

The abbess of the monastery, Abbess Ilaria, presented Bishop Porfiry with an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos as a gift.

Then all the guests were treated to a monastic meal, after which the archpastor had a conversation with the nuns of the monastery.

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Николай Петков

Gladly, that on the feast of Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, Bishop Porphyry served right in the Tadulin Monastery. The choir under the direction of Olga Davidko must have sung beautifully, as usual. I wonder what he said in his sermon at the end.

Χρήστος Βασιλείου

It's good that Abbess Ilaria gave him an icon of the Virgin Mary. These small details show the family atmosphere of the monastery. Really, what did bishop Porphyrios say in his speech?

Мариана Петкова

It is interesting that precisely on the feast of St. Olga, the bishop came to the Tadulin Monastery - it is always very peaceful and prayerful there. Olga Davidko's choir really sings beautifully, especially the Assumption. And they don't write anything about the sermon, it's a pity, it must have been for the example of the princess in her family life.

Radu Gheorghiu

I am glad that Bishop Porfirie served precisely on Saint Olga's day in Tădulin. The singing of Olga Davîdko's choir is always beautiful, especially on such holidays. Too bad they didn't write anything from his sermon, it was interesting what he said about her family life.

Γιάννης Μακρής

Well said, Christos, the picture shows exactly this simple, family mood. I was impressed that after the mass they sat down and talked with the nuns – such conversations usually stay longer than a speech. Maybe he told them something about patience in the single life, but the article doesn't say that.

Алексей Петров

It’s good that Bishop Porfiry came to Tadulinsky on Olga’s day. It’s interesting what he said in the sermon, about the family example of the princess or about monastic life. It’s a pity that we didn’t write a word; usually such conversations after a meal with the sisters are the most useful.

Борис Николов

Yes, it was precisely on the feast of St. Olga that the bishop came - and I think that this is not accidental. Olga Davidko's choir is really nice, I remember it from last year in Sloboda. It's a pity that they don't write the sermon, maybe next time someone will record at least part of it.

Marek Szymański

Good thing it's on St. Patrick's Day. Olga, Bishop Porfiriusz came to Tadułin. Olga Davydko's choir always sings cleanly, I remember how good it sounded at Uspenskaya last year. It's a pity that they didn't write a single word from the sermon, because after dinner the conversation with the sisters was probably the most valuable.

Богдана Николова

It is interesting that on this particular day they chose the Tadulin Monastery - there the sisters always welcome the holidays with great order. Olga Davidko's choir really sings cleanly, especially the troparion. They do not mention anything about the sermon, hopefully one of the sisters will later tell what the bishop said.

Даниела Димитрова

Yes, I also think that the date is not accidental - St. Olga is particularly important for monasticism. Olga Davydko's choir really sings cleanly, last year in Sloboda I also listened to it. You are right about the sermon, it would be good if they recorded it at least in part, next time we can ask.

Атанас Марков

Yes, precisely on the feast of St. Olga, a special order is always felt in the Tadulin monastery, the sisters really prepare carefully. I especially like Olga Davidko's choir on "Dostoyno est", they sing very gracefully. I wonder if the bishop has said anything about the example of the princess nowadays - if you hear from the sisters, let me know.

Νίκη Θεοδώρου

Yes, Christos, the icon of the Virgin Mary was all that was required by Abbess Ilaria. I liked that after the repast he sat and talked especially with the nuns – these conversations show real care. So, will you tell us if you have ever been to such a monastery in our area?

Ioana Stoica

Yes, I also noticed that the sermon was missing from the article. Too bad, because Saint Olga had a complicated family life with a pagan husband and a warrior son. What would Bishop Porphyry have said about this? Olga Davîdko's choir really sounds beautiful at such services, especially when they sing tropares.

Борис Илиев

Yes, the sisters always get together for the feast of St. Olga, you can see. Olga Davydko's choir really sings cleanly, especially "It is Worthy" - it also impressed me last year. I don't know exactly about the sermon, but Bishop Porfiriy usually talks about patience and faith in the family, he may have connected with the princess as well.

Цветанка Колева

Yes, Olga Davydko's choir really sounds very clean exactly on "Dostoyno est", last Sunday I listened to it again and listened. For the sermon, the sisters mentioned that the bishop spoke about how St. Olga was able to change an entire nation with patience and not with violence - perhaps it also applies to today's families. Do you often go to Tadulinski on this holiday?

Ελένη Οικονόμου

Yes, Niki, the image was indeed a matching donation. I was impressed that he spoke to the nuns separately after the service, such conversations show real care. I have only been once to a women's monastery near Chania, years ago, but I did not stay for a discussion with the abbess. Have you visited anyone here in Crete?

Yes, Olga Davidko's choir is really very clean, especially on "Dostoyno est" - last Sunday I also heard it on record and listened. I didn't know exactly this part about the patience of St. Olga about Bishop Porphyry's sermon, but it really fits family life today. I go to Tadulinski more on Assumption, and not so much on St. Olga's day - do you go there often?

Цветанка Илиева

Yes, Olga Davydko's choir really sings very cleanly, especially "Dostoyno est" - and I have listened to it several times on a recording. About the patience of St. Olga, Bishop Porphyry very well connected it with today's families, and it stayed in my mind. I go to Tadulinsky mainly on Assumption, like you, but this year I decided to go on July 24 as well - the meal after the service was simple, but very tasty. Have you tried their sourdough bread?

Иванка Димитрова

Yes, their sourdough bread is really delicious, especially with the honey from the monastery hives. I also remembered the words of Bishop Porphyry about the patience of St. Olga - just like in our families when the children do not listen. Do you go to the table with the pilgrims or stay with the sisters?

Петър Димитров

Yes, Olga Davidko's chorus really sounds clean, especially on "Dostoyno est". Bishop Porfiry said it well about St. Olga's patience - I, as the father of a 15-year-old boy, immediately wrote it down in my mind to take home. I haven't tried their sourdough bread yet, but I'll look for it with honey next time on Assumption. What do you use to travel there?

Теодора Василева

Yes, the bread with their leaven and honey is really something special, especially after the service. I stayed with the sisters at the table because my son was with me and Abbess Ilaria invited us not to clash with the pilgrims. And what did you remember most from the bishop's sermon, apart from patience?

Христо Василев

Yes, the meal after the service is the best part – and their honey bread is really good. What stuck with me most from the sermon was how the bishop said that patience is not just waiting, but working with faith every day, like fishing. And did you stay longer after the conversation with the inhabitants?

No, I didn't stay after the talk, I went home for lunch. I liked Patience as Fishing, especially when you said that sometimes you just hold the line and be quiet. And the honey bread was really delicious, I took it home.

Кирил Стоянов

Yeah, I remembered that part about fishing too - especially when you said patience is sometimes just sitting there and not pulling the line when nothing is biting. The honey bread was really nice, I got two pieces to take home. And what do you think, do you often go to such meals in monasteries?

No, I didn't stay until the end of the talk either, but the one about patience as fishing stuck in my head. I especially liked how you said it about silently holding the line - sounds like something I can apply to my everyday life. The honey bread was really worth it, I got two pieces to take home.

Yes, I also took the honey bread, it was very soft and sweet. About patience as fishing, I liked how the bishop said it - sometimes you just stand and wait without pulling. Did you stay for the table after the talk?

Христо Димитров

Yes, I stayed for the meal as well, the honey bread was really soft like cotton. I liked the bishop's words about patience when fishing - that's right, you sit, wait and don't pull prematurely, otherwise you won't catch anything. And what else did you get from the meals?

Yes, I remembered that exact part about being patient with the line too - you stand still and wait without pulling. Yesterday I made the honey bread according to their recipe, but it turned out a bit dry, I think I used too much flour. How did you do it, Tsvetanka, with supplements?

Методи Костов

Yes, honey bread is good, soft and sweet. I had the grilled fish, it was nicely cooked without being dry. And have you tried the cabbage and carrots that the sisters make?

Yes, patience with the rod is the hardest part, especially when the fish aren't biting. My honey bread turned out soft, I put a little more butter and a spoonful of honey on top at the end. What kind of flour do you use to make plain, white or wholemeal?

Богдана Митева

I tried yesterday with whole wheat flour and added a handful of raisins, it became more moist. I agree, patience with the fishing line is just like in the sermon - you stand and don't pull, otherwise everything spoils. Tsvetanka, what do you smear it with afterwards?

Yes, the cabbage with the carrots was very fresh and light, just like the sisters make it. I took another spoon because it reminded me of what my grandmother used to do in the garden in the summer. And did you stay for the talk after the meal?

I usually top it with some honey from our garden, it's sweet and not too heavy. Raisins are a good idea, I'll try that next time. And what kind of flour do you work with, from the store or from the mill?

Interestingly, the honey from the garden must give a very pleasant aroma. I use regular white flour from the store, but lately I'm thinking of getting from the mill in our village, to see the difference. Which mill do you buy from?

Иван Марков

Honey from the garden is best, especially if it is from acacia. I use white flour from the mill in Pavel Banya, I take 5 kg at a time and keep it cool. And what kind of flowers is your honey mostly made of?

Иванка Иванова

Yes, the honey from the monastery garden really gives a very mild and pleasant aroma to the bread. I, on the other hand, buy flour from the mill near the village of Bistritsa, near Sofia - the difference with the shop flour is immediately felt in the dough. And have you tried mixing white with a little rye for a thicker taste?

Теодора Петрова

Да, медът от манастирската градина наистина прави хляба по-ароматен, особено когато е леко горчив от липов цвят. Аз пък рядко смесвам брашната, защото с малкия ми син в къщи нямам време за експерименти в кухнята. А мелницата край Бистрица продава ли и пълнозърнесто, или само бяло?

Румяна Петрова

Да, липовият мед наистина дава лека горчивина, която много ми харесва на хляба. Аз пък купувам пълнозърнесто точно от мелницата край Бистрица, взимам по 5 кг наведнъж за дъщерите. А твоят малък син обича ли по-тъмния хляб или само белия?

Георги Петров

Да, липовият мед наистина дава приятна горчивина, особено ако е от манастирската градина. Аз пък рядко купувам от Бистрица, защото ми е далеч с рейса от Варна, но жена ми често меси с пълнозърнесто за дъщерята студентка. Ти какъв хляб правиш най-често сега с малкия?

Богдана Тодорова

Да, липовият мед с лека горчивина е най-хубав точно от манастирската градина, права си. Сега с малкия най-често меся обикновен бял хляб, защото пълнозърнестия още не му харесва много. А ти опитвала ли си да добавяш мед в тестото вместо захар?