With Hope for Renewaltranslated

July 11, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 9, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the ruined St. George’s Church of Poldomasovo village by Metropolitan Longinus of Simbirsk and Novospassk. Why the locals refer to the ancient church as the spiritual heart of the community—we explore in our feature.

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

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💬 Comments (16) 🌐 Show original

Александр Богданов

It’s good that Metropolitan Longin came and celebrated the Liturgy right in the ruins. For many, Poldomasovo really was like a spiritual heart; I remember how my grandmother went there on foot to the throne procession. I hope that now things will move towards restoration.

Степан Тарасов

Yes, I remember these throne passages, my aunt also went there on foot from a neighboring village, saying that without this the holiday would not be a holiday. It’s good that Bishop Longin was not afraid of the ruins, now at least there is hope that they will get around to repairing it. Are you from Poldomasov yourself or are you just rooted there?

Олег Олійник

It is good that Bishop Longinus was not afraid of the ruins and served right there. We also have old churches in Odessa that are being rebuilt little by little, and always after the first service in them, people seem to come alive. And who among the locals is now taking on the restoration, or has a fund already been created?

Παρασκευή Παπαγεωργίου

It's a good thing that Metropolitan Longin was not afraid of the ruins and celebrated Mass there. I also remember from Patras how important the pilgrimage was to the old church of Agios Andreas, my grandmother used to walk every year. I hope that money will be raised and the restoration will proceed, because places like this are really the heart of the place.

Екатерина Андреева

It’s good that Bishop Longin served right in the ruins, this will really move things forward. My grandmother also went to such churches on foot for the throne procession, saying - without this, the holiday would not be a holiday. I wonder if the locals have already started collecting money for restoration or is it just talk?

Florin Matei

It's good that Metropolitan Longhin served the Liturgy right in the ruins, this reminded me of how my grandfather from the village used to walk to the church and said that without a service there, there is no real celebration. I hope the world will come together and begin the restoration, not just talk. Who knows, maybe we, the drivers, can help with the transport of materials.

Branislav Stanković

It's good that Bishop Longin celebrated the Liturgy right in the ruins. My grandmother from the area around Niš used to go on foot to the throne procession to the old church, so she said that without it, the holiday is not real. Let's hope that now and with the restoration, something will be started, and not just talk.

Katarina Jovanović

I agree, Branislava, that is exactly what is needed - Liturgy among the walls that are still standing. My grandfather also told how after the war they served in a half-destroyed church here in Montenegro and that that day was the liveliest. Did your grandmother from around Niš go to a specific church, can you tell me which one?

Елена Белова

Yes, Lord Longinus served in ruins - this is strong. We also had grandmothers like this in Kazan, without a church the Trinity is not the Trinity. And in Poldomasovo they have already started collecting, I heard that the locals gave the first donations on the church website.

Petar Nikolić

I agree, Branislav, the Liturgy in the ruins always stirs something in people. My uncle from around Kraljevo said that after the earthquake in the 80s, they served under a tent next to the destroyed wall and that he remembered that holiday the most. Let's hope that after this, at least a roof will be put in Poldomasova, and not just promises.

Νίκος Αθανασίου

I agree, your grandmother did well to walk. Here in Heraklion we also have a small chapel that you can only reach on foot and every year we gather 15-20 people. I hope they find money for Poldomasovo, because without such places the memory of the place is lost.

Elena Lungu

Well said, Florin, the church in ruins shows that the heart of the place still beats. Your grandfather was right, without the Liturgy the sanctuary seems empty. Maybe next time we can also collect some help from our church choir, see how things really turn out.

Nemanja Savić

I agree, Branislav, the Liturgy in the ruins always moves things a little. My neighbor, an electrician from the church board, was on a similar service with us after the flood and says that after that it was easier to find volunteers for repairs. If you know, which church was your grandmother's near Nis?

Анна Зайцева

Yes, my grandmother’s moves on the throne holiday were a sacred thing, my mother-in-law also walked from the neighboring village and then baked pies for the whole family. It’s good that Lord Longin served right in the ruins, maybe the truth will now move forward. Do you have any relatives still living in Poldomasovo?

Ana Kostić

I agree, Peter, and that story about the tent next to the wall after the earthquake is really strong. In our parish, we once served outdoors when the church roof leaked, so people crowded around the altar even more. God grant that in Poldomasovo it will not remain just words, but that at least the roof will arrive before winter.

Petar Marković

I agree, Nemanja, and after the service in the old chapel on Suvodol, it was easier for us to collect for the new roof. The electrician neighbor is right, the people are a little startled when they see that the Liturgy is held even in the ruins. And which church was it at grandma's near Nis, did you hear the name?