09.29.2026 Bishop John performed the rite of the Great Consecration of the Church of St. Athanasius of Athos in the Iversky Svyatoesersky Conventtranslated

On September 29, Tuesday of the 18th week after Pentecost, Bishop John of Shuya and Teikovsky performed the rite of the Great Consecration of the Church of St. Athanasius of Athonite in the Iversky Svyatoesersky Convent (Yuzhsky District). After the consecration, Bishop John celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the newly consecrated church.

Concelebrating with the Bishop were: the dean of the churches of the Yuzhsky district, Priest Vasily Smirnov; the rector of the Bishop's Compound of the Assumption Zolotnikovskaya Hermitage, Abbot Lazar (Elistratov), ​​as well as the clergy of the monastery, Hieromonk Irinarh (Efremov) and Archpriest Dimitry Gamarnik.

The diaconal rank was headed by Deacon Alexander Volov.

The liturgical chants were performed by the sister choir of the monastery.

The sermon before Communion was delivered by the cleric of the monastery, Hieromonk Irinarch (Efremov).

At the end of the service, Bishop John awarded Abbess Silvana (Volkova) the medal of the “Shui-Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God”, II degree, for her active participation in the construction of the church; Vladimir Igorevich Smirnov medal “Shuisk-Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God” III degree; Dobrozhan Afanasy Ivanovich medal “Shuisk-Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God” III degree. A number of laity were awarded Bishop’s Certificates and Letters of Gratitude.…