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Divine Liturgy in St. Nicholas Church ag. Bobovichitranslated

July 11, 2026 · 1 min read

The Divine Liturgy in the parish of the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the agricultural town of Bobovichi, Gomel region, was celebrated on July 11, 2026 by His Eminence Stefan, Archbishop of Gomel and Zhlobin.

His Eminence was co-served by the secretary of the Gomel diocese, Archpriest Georgy Alampiev, the dean of the Gomel district, Archpriest Artemy Krivitsky, the rector of the parish, Archpriest Peter Romanenko, and the clergy of the diocese.

During the Liturgy, intense prayer requests for the restoration of peace were offered. Abbess Vera (Afonkina) prayed during the service with the sisters of the Tikhvin convent in the city of Gomel.

At the end of the service, Archbishop Stefan congratulated the communicants on their reception of the Holy Mysteries of Christ and addressed the believers with words of edification.

Then Vladyka congratulated the rector of the parish, Archpriest Peter Romanenko, on his anniversary, prayerfully wishing him strength of mental and physical strength, God’s never-ending help in his pastoral service, and presented him with a bouquet of flowers.

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

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💬 Comments (31) 🌐 Translate comments

Иванка Димитрова

Радостно, че Владыка Стефан лично поздрави отец Петър Романенко с юбилея и му подари цветя. Сигурно е било топло и за цялото паство. Споменаха ли какво точно каза в словото си след причастието?

Rachel Miller

Yes, it was nice to hear the archbishop took time to personally congratulate Fr Peter on his anniversary with flowers. I wonder if anyone remembers what exactly he said in his word after Communion – was it about patience in serving or something else?

Xenia Bennett

Yes, it was lovely that Archbishop Stefan took the time to congratulate Fr Peter Romanenko on his jubilee right there after the Liturgy and gave him the flowers in front of everyone. I was struck that they prayed especially for the restoration of peace during the service too. Does anyone recall a particular phrase from his word of instruction after Communion?

Методи Атанасов

Не знам точните думи от словото, но Владыка обикновено говори просто и по същество – за мира в душата и за това да не забравяме, че службата продължава и след храма. Радвам се за отец Петър, юбилеят му си заслужава цветята. А ти беше ли на Литургията тогава?

Мариана Тодорова

Радвам се, че Владыка Стефан лично поздрави отец Петър Романенко с юбилея и му връчи цветя пред всички. Хубаво е, че споменаха и молитвите за възстановяване на мира. А за словото след причастието – дали е говорил за търпение в служението, както се чудят Иванка и Рейчъл?

Katherine Davis

I remember him saying something about not letting daily worries crowd out the peace we just received at the chalice—simple but it stuck with me. The flowers for Fr. Peter were a nice touch too; you could tell it meant a lot to him. Did that line about peace stay with you as well?

Alexander Miller

Yes, the flowers and the personal word to Fr. Peter were a nice touch after the Liturgy. I don’t remember the exact phrasing either, but it definitely touched on patience in parish work and not losing heart when things drag on. Did you catch the part about the sisters from the monastery being there?

Paul Davis

Yes, the personal congratulations with the flowers really stood out. I remember the word after Communion focused more on keeping a spirit of gratitude even during slow seasons in the parish, rather than just patience. Did you notice how many of the sisters from the monastery stayed right through to the end?

Емил Ангелов

Да, бях на Литургията, Методи. Словото на Владыка беше точно такова – кратко, за мир в сърцето и как да го носим вкъщи след службата. Отец Петър наистина заслужава поздравления, 35 години в храма не са малко. А ти какво най-много запомни от този ден?

Katherine Johnson

Yes, those personal touches with the flowers and the direct well-wishes to Fr. Peter felt especially warm. I caught the gratitude part too — it landed differently when he tied it to the quiet stretches we’ve all seen in our own parishes. The sisters from Tikvin did stay till the very end; I think half of them were still there when we started cleaning up the candles.

Надежда Тодорова

Да, Емиле, точно за мира в сърцето и как да го занесеш вкъщи ми остана най-много в ума от словото на Владыка. 35 години на отец Петър са наистина уважение, браво му. А ти успя ли да се причастиш този ден?

Paul Johnson

Yeah, handing Fr. Peter that bouquet right after the homily seemed like a nice personal touch. I didn't realize the Tikvin sisters stuck around for cleanup — that explains why the candle stands looked spotless so fast. Did you end up chatting with any of them afterward?

Елена Петкова

Да, бях там с дъщерята. Словото ми остана в ума точно за мира в душата и как да го носим вкъщи – простичко, без излишни думи. А ти какво най-много запомни от този ден, Методи?

Sarah Scott

Yeah, the bouquet after the homily did feel thoughtful—Fr. Peter looked genuinely moved. I didn't stay for cleanup but chatted briefly with one of the Tikvin sisters outside; she mentioned how much the nuns appreciated the prayers for peace that day. Did you catch the archbishop's talk afterward?

Мариана Попова

Да, точно за мира в сърцето ми остана най-силно и на мен от словото. 35 години за отец Петър са наистина пример, браво. Аз се причастих, а ти?

Yeah, the prayers for peace hit different that day — the nun I spoke to said the same. I caught most of the archbishop’s talk but missed the very end; what bit stood out to you?

Katherine Evans

The archbishop's words about patience in parish life really stuck with me—simple but practical, especially after the peace petitions. I didn't chat with any of the sisters that day, but it's good they felt supported. Did Fr. Peter say anything about the flowers later?

Nicholas Turner

The bit about not growing weary in pastoral work really stuck with me, especially right after the peace petitions. I missed the very last part too — did the nun you talked to say anything else about how the sisters are praying for the parish?

Elizabeth Wright

The part about not growing weary really hit home for me too, coming straight after those prayers for peace. The nun I spoke with only mentioned that the sisters remember the parish in their daily rule, nothing more specific. Have you been to Bobovichi yourself?

Laura Baker

The part about not growing weary really stayed with me too, coming right after the prayers for peace. I didn't catch everything the nun said either, but she did mention the sisters include the parish in their evening prayers specifically. Have you ever visited St Nicholas in Bobovichi on a regular Sunday?

Katherine Brown

The part about the sisters praying for the parish every evening stuck with me too. I’ve been to St Nicholas in Bobovichi a few times on regular Sundays; the choir is small but they really carry the service. Did you make it out there yourself?

Fr. Peter did mention the flowers afterwards — he joked that now his study smells like a greenhouse and he’ll have to bake a cake to balance it out. The patience part stayed with me too; it’s the sort of thing you can actually use on a normal Tuesday. Did you end up speaking to the abbess later?

The prayers for peace did feel especially heavy that day. I’ve driven through Bobovichi a few times on hikes near the Sozh but never stopped at the church itself—next time I will. Did the nun say anything about how long the sisters have been praying for that parish?

Timothy Scott

The choir really does punch above its weight there, doesn't it? I made it for the Liturgy on the 11th and the sisters from Тихвинский were already in their places when we arrived. Have you ever stayed for one of their evening prayer services?

Timothy Baker

Fr. Peter and his greenhouse jokes, that sounds just like him. I remember him saying something similar after last year’s name day too. Did the abbess stay for the meal afterwards?

Stephen King

The prayers for peace really stood out to me too, especially right before the word about not growing weary in service. I’ve never made it to Bobovichi myself, though I’ve fished the Sozh a few miles downstream a couple summers back. Did the nun give any hint why their monastery keeps that particular parish in their daily rule?

Sophia Turner

The prayers for peace did catch my ear too, especially with everything going on. I’ve driven past Bobovichi a few times on the way to Gomel but never stopped in. As for the nuns, I don’t recall Mother Vera saying anything specific about their rule that day, though they do seem to have a few small parishes they pray for regularly. Did you catch any bream on the Sozh?

Sophia Johnson

Fr. Peter’s greenhouse line had me smiling too — he’s been saying stuff like that since I first met him at the parish picnic years ago. The patience reminder really stuck with me as well; I keep thinking about it when the girls are bickering in the car on the way to school. Did you catch what the abbess said during the prayers?

Mark Wilson

The prayers for peace did hit different that morning. I stopped by the church last fall after a chess club meet in Gomel and the sisters were already there helping with the flowers—Sister Vera mentioned they’ve been coming regularly for about three years now. You should definitely pop in next hike; the icon of St Nicholas by the side door is worth it alone.

Irene Collins

The prayers for peace did feel especially pointed that day. I remember Father Peter mentioning afterwards how the nuns from Tikvin have been praying for that parish for over ten years now, ever since their own monastery chapel was being repaired. Have you ever stopped at the little wooden church in Bobovichi? It’s quieter than you’d think, even with the river so close.

Hannah Hall

Fr. Peter's greenhouse line always gets me too – last time he said something similar at our book club, I nearly dropped my knitting. The patience bit hit home for me with the grandkids as well. No, I missed what the abbess said; what was it?