“The Synaxis of Saints is the main feast of the metropolis”translated

With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', a new date for the celebration in honor of the Council of Simbirsk Saints has been established - the second Sunday of September. Since 2011, the celebration of the Council took place on the same day as the glorification and discovery of the relics of Blessed Andrei of Simbirsk - June 3, New Style. Why did a new date appear for the main holiday of the Simbirsk Metropolis? How many names are now included in the Cathedral of Simbirsk Saints? We talk with Metropolitan Longin of Simbirsk and Novospassky.

– Vladyka, on what principle are saints included in Councils?

– The Cathedral of Saints of a particular metropolis (diocese) includes the names of ascetics who labored in this church region for a significant period of time and/or died here to the Lord and were buried. The saints of the Simbirsk land are the saints closest to us, who lived in the same cities and villages as us, who served and worked here. Most of them are new martyrs. These are people who had perfect love for God and people and, during the years of persecution, gave their lives for the sake of this love. Now they stand before the Throne of God, and we believe that through their prayers the Lord preserves our land.

– How did the composition of the Simbirsk Cathedral change...