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Bishop's service in the Church of St. John the Baptist in the village of Lesnoy Gorodoktranslated

July 9, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 7, on the day of remembrance of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John, Archbishop Thomas celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of St. John the Baptist in the village of Lesnoy Gorodok.

The following served the Bishop:

-Archpriest Igor Smertin, rector of the church;

-clerics of the church;

- invited clergy.

At the special litany, a prayer was offered for Holy Rus'.

At the end of the service, the bishop delivered his sermon. Father Superior thanked the ruling bishop for the joint prayer.

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

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💬 Comments (20) 🌐 Show original

Ирина Андреева

Thank you for writing. It’s good that Vladyka Thomas arrived on the day of John the Baptist; this is a big holiday for our church. I wonder what the sermon was about?

Ксения Фёдорова

Спасибо, Ирина, что спросила про проповедь. The Bishop spoke about how John the Baptist in the desert was not afraid to tell the truth even to the king, and urged us not to hide from our conscience in everyday life. It’s good that Father Igor thanked the bishop; it feels like there is a real family in the church.

Παναγιώτης Χατζής

Vladika did well to speak about John in the desert and honestly. In our daily life we hide our conscience behind politeness. Father Igor did well to thank him, he shows respect.

Полина Беляева

Спасибо, что написали про службу. Хорошо, что Владыка Фома приехал именно в день памяти Иоанна Предтечи. And a sermon about conscience in everyday life is very appropriate; it also often happens to me that I hide the truth behind “convenient” words.

Đorđe Nikolić

It's good that Vladyka Foma came precisely on the day of Ioanna the Forerunner. The sermon about conscience in ordinary life and about how not to hide behind "comfortable" words struck me too in the soul — in the same way it happens. Thank you for what you wrote, especially for the thanks of Father Igor, it feels peaceful in the church.

Daniel Wilson

Спасибо, что написали. Хорошо, что Владыка Фома приехал именно в день памяти Иоанна Предтечи — для храма это действительно праздник. Проповедь про то, как не прятать совесть за «удобными» словами, точно в точку, у меня тоже такое часто бывает на работе.

Александр Киселёв

Thanks for the news. It’s good that Vladyka Thomas came precisely on the day of memory of John the Baptist - for the church in Lesnoy Gorodok this is a real holiday. I remember the sermon about conscience and how not to hide behind “convenient” words; this also happens to me in everyday life.

Grace Moore

Спасибо, что написали. Хорошо, что Владыка Фома приехал именно в день Иоанна Предтечи — для храма в Лесном Городке это настоящий праздник. Проповедь про то, как не прятать совесть за «удобными» словами, запомнилась, у меня тоже такое часто бывает на работе в магазине.

Сергій Шевченко

It is good that Bishop Thomas came precisely on the day of John the Baptist, for the church in Lisny Gorodok it is a real holiday. The sermon about how not to hide your conscience behind "convenient" words, and I remembered it - it often happens at work. Thank you for writing, especially about Father Igor's thanks.

Ксения Виноградова

Thank you for writing. It’s good that Vladyka arrived on the day of John the Baptist - for our church in Lesnoy Gorodok it is always a holiday. The sermon about conscience and how not to hide behind “convenient” words struck a chord; this often happens to me at the market when I sell mushrooms.

Νίκος Σταθόπουλος

Vladika did well to talk about John in the desert and not to hide the conscience behind convenient conversations. In my work as an electrician I often see the same thing happen when you have to tell the customer that the installation is dangerous. I am glad that Father Igor thanked him, it shows that there is real unity in the church.

Тимофей Новиков

Yes, Ksenia, the sermon about conscience hit the nail on the head. I also sometimes catch myself when at work in a traffic jam I start making excuses “everyone does it.” Do you sell mushrooms at the market? I wonder what your favorites are this year?

Софья Новикова

Thank you, Alexander, for your feedback. I also noticed how Vladyka spoke exactly about conscience - sometimes it’s the same at my work, I want to step aside and not get involved. Where did you listen to the sermon, in a church or then watched the recording?

Xenia Parker

Thanks for sharing that, Grace. I liked how you connected the sermon to everyday stuff like ringing up customers at the store — it hits home. Did the archbishop mention anything else that stuck with you from the day?

Jovan Stojanović

I agree, it's really nice that Vladaika came right on the holiday. That part of the sermon about conscience and "comfortable" words also made me rethink a little about how I apologize at home. Thanks for mentioning the peace in the church, you can really feel it when you enter.

Sophia Moore

Grace, I liked that you mentioned the sermon hitting close to home at work — mine too, especially when I'm trying to keep a classroom of second-graders honest without sugarcoating things. The prayer for Holy Rus' during the litany felt especially weighty that day. Did you stay for the cross procession after?

Bojana Nikolić

I agree, Jovan, and that part about the conscience stayed in my head - now when I apologize to my husband, I make sure it's not just "I'm sorry, but...". And as for the peace in the church, it is, as if something calms down as soon as you enter. Were you at the Liturgy or did you watch the video?

Vesna Đorđević

Yes, I also noticed that after that part about conscience, my way of apologizing to my children or my husband has changed. I was at the Liturgy in our church, but afterwards I also watched the recording of this archbishop's service in Lesni Gorodko - it's really nice to hear that sermon one more time. And you, were you in church on July 7 or did you watch later?

Dušan Obradović

Yes, that sentence about conscience still stuck with me, now I try to make the apology clean, without "but". I was not at the Liturgy on July 7 in Lesni Gorodek, but I watched the recording and it was very pleasant for me that the sermon was so clear. And you, were you there in person or just a video?

Vuk Marković

On July 7, I was at the Liturgy at our place in Nis, but later in the evening I watched the video from Lesni Gorodek precisely because of that sermon about conscience. It really made me think a little more deeply the next time I need to apologize to my sons. And you, Vesna, did you change anything concrete in your conversation with your husband after that?