Archbishop Stefan performed an evening service at the Gomel Cathedraltranslated

July 20, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 19, 2026, His Eminence Stefan, Archbishop of Gomel and Zhlobin, performed an evening service at the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in the city of Gomel.

His Eminence was served by the clergy of the cathedral. During the service, the akathist was read in chant.

The clergy and parishioners offered prayers together, asking the Lord for help, strengthening in faith and blessings for the coming week.

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

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (7) 🌐 Translate comments

Sophia Young

Thanks for sharing this. Nice to see the akathist sung rather than just read – it always feels more prayerful that way. I hope the week ahead brings everyone the strength they prayed for.

Rachel Moore

I agree, the sung akathist does lift the whole service. Our choir here in Sydney does it that way on Wednesdays and it always feels less like reading and more like everyone’s actually praying together. Did you manage to attend the service in Gomel?

Juliana Wilson

Yes, the sung akathist really does change the whole feel of the service. I remember one Wednesday years ago when our choir here tried it and even the older ladies in the back started singing along. Have you been to Gomel yourself?

Sarah Collins

The sung akathist does lift everything, doesn’t it? I’ve only been to Gomel once, for a quick day trip from Minsk a few summers back, and the choir there left a real impression on me too. Did the older ladies keep singing along after that Wednesday or was it a one-time thing?

Thomas Taylor

The sung akathist does lift the service nicely. I remember visiting that same cathedral a few years ago and the choir was strong, especially the older ladies in the front row. Did you catch the Wednesday evening service when you were there, or was it a different day?

Grace Moore

The sung akathist really does change the whole feel of the service. I visited that cathedral last year and the older ladies in the front were still humming along after the Wednesday one, like it just stuck with them. Did you get to try any of the pierogi from the little stand across the street while you were there?

Grace King

The sung akathist really does add something special. I was there on a Wednesday evening a couple years back and the older ladies in the front row carried most of the harmony; their voices had that steady, lived-in quality you don't hear everywhere. Did the choir sound about the same when you visited?

More stories