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Bishop Ambrose and the monastics of the Borisov diocese took part in the celebrations in honor of the memory of the Hieromartyr Mitrofan of Krasnopolskytranslated

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 6, 2026, on the day of veneration of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God and the memory of the Hieromartyr Mitrofan of Krasnopol, the first Bishop of Gomel, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the St. Nicholas Monastery in Gomel.

The service was led by His Eminence Stefan, Archbishop of Gomel and Zhlobin, co-served by His Eminence Ambrose, Bishop of Borisov and Maryinogorsk, and His Eminence Varnava, Bishop of Velikoluksky and Nevelsk.

The archpastors were concelebrated by the secretary of the Gomel diocese, Archpriest Georgy Alampiev, the dean of the monasteries of the Gomel diocese, the acting abbot of the St. Nicholas Monastery, Abbot Theodorit (Zolotarev), the dean of the Cherven district of the Borisov diocese, Hieromonk Gideon (Fomenko), monastics in holy orders and the clergy of the Gomel diocese.

The abbess of the monasteries of the Gomel diocese prayed during the service: Abbess Ioanna (Yarets) with the sisters of the Holy Dormition Convent in the village of Kazimirovo, Abbess Vera (Afonkina) with the sisters of the Holy Tikhvin Convent in Gomel, Abbess Arhelaya (Novikova) with the sisters St. John of Kormyansky Women's Monastery. The abbess also prayed during the Liturgy...

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Mark Baker

Nice to see Bishop Ambrose and the monks from Borisov diocese there with everyone. The concelebration with Archbishop Stefan and Bishop Varnava at St Nicholas monastery must have been a proper celebration for St Mitrofan’s memory. Good that the abbesses from all three local women’s monasteries could pray together at the Liturgy too.

Andreea Matei

Ambrose and the monks from Borisov also came, it can be seen that the connection between the dioceses is close. I was happy to read that they served together with Archbishop Stefan and Bishop Varnava exactly at the monastery of Saint Nicholas, on the day of the holy Martyr Mitrofan. And that all three abbesses were present with their sisters, as if the entire monastic family in the area had gathered.

Mathilde Lefebvre

It is good to see Bishop Ambroise and the monks of Borissov joining Archbishop Stéphane and Bishop Barnabas for the liturgy at Saint-Nicolas. I noticed that the three igumens of the women's monasteries of the Eparchy of Gomel were there with their sisters, it must have been a nice assembly. We really feel the links between the dioceses that day for Saint Mitrophane.

Ксения Соловьёва

I am glad that Bishop Ambrose and our monastics from the Borisov diocese were able to come to Gomel specifically in memory of the Hieromartyr Mitrofan. It is good that together with Archbishop Stefan and Bishop Varnava they served in the St. Nicholas Monastery, and Abbess Ioanna, Vera and Archelaus were with the sisters. Such joint services are truly strengthening.

Gregory Morris

Yeah, it was good to see Bishop Ambrose and those monks from Borisov make the trip. The three abbesses praying together at the Liturgy really rounded it out nicely. Did you catch if any of the nuns from Kazimirvo sang in the choir?

Αντώνης Κωνσταντίνου

It's good that Bishop Ambrosios went with the monks from Borisov and they celebrated together with Archbishop Stefanos and Bishop Varnavas exactly in memory of the martyr Mitrophanes in the Nikolaev monastery. I am also glad that all three abbesses – Joanna, Vera and Archelaia – were there with their sisters. Who knows, maybe they even had a choir from Kazimierovo.

Elena Florea

Yes, the connection between the dioceses is clearly seen from the fact that Bishop Amvrosie came with Hieromonk Gedeon and the other monks precisely to Gomei. I was also impressed that all three abbesses - Ioana, Vera and Archelaia - were there with their sisters, as if the whole monastic community had gathered. Do you think they will organize such a joint service in Borisov next year?

Ανδρέας Παναγιωτόπουλος

It's good that Bishop Ambrosios went with Hieromonk Gideon and the rest from Vorisov. I am glad that they worked together with Archbishop Stefanos and Bishop Varnavas precisely in memory of the hieromartyr Mitrophanes in Nikolaevo. The three abbesses with their sisters must have filled the church.

Andrei Ciobanu

Yes, it's good that Bishop Amvrosie came with Hieromonk Gedeon and the monks from Borisov to Gomei. I was happy to see that they served together with Archbishop Stefan and Bishop Varnava precisely at the monastery of Saint Nicholas, on the day of the holy Martyr Mitrofan. The three abbesses - Ioana, Vera and Archelaia - with their sisters nicely completed the community.

Rebecca Smith

Yes, the three abbesses together at the Liturgy was a lovely sight. I heard a few sisters from Kazimirvo did join the choir for the feast day hymns. Did you notice how many of the Borisov monks stayed on for the meal afterwards?

Дарья Морозова

I agree, Ksenia, it is especially pleasant that Hieromonk Gideon from our Chervensky district also concelebrated. Just that day I was knitting a scarf and thinking how good it is when our people from the Borisov diocese, together with those from Gomel, strengthen ties. Have you been to such a joint service yourself?

Галина Михайлова

Yes, Gideon is a great guy, always so collected during services. That day I was baking cabbage pies for a church meal and was also glad that our people from Borisovskaya were uniting. Who did you knit the scarf for, Daria, for yourself or for sale?

Viorica Stan

Yes, the connection can also be felt from the fact that the hieromonk Gedeon, who is from Borisov, served there with them. I was a little surprised that it happened exactly on the day of Saint Mitrofan, the first bishop of Gomel - as if they wanted to connect even more strongly the history of the place with our diocese. Do you think they will continue with such visits to other shrines?

Ольга Смирнова

Yes, Ksenia, it’s good that it was on the day of remembrance of the Hieromartyr Mitrofan that our people from the Borisov diocese arrived. That day I was walking in the park with the children and thought how such services help not only monastics, but also us, ordinary parishioners, to feel part of something larger. Do you often go to such joint celebrations?

Ioana Radu

Yes, I was also happy to see that Hieromonk Gedeon came with the brothers from Borisov - he is from our parts, from Cherven. The three abbesses and their families really brought a family atmosphere to the service, especially at Saint Nicholas. Were you there at the liturgy, Andrei?

Marius Florea

Yes, I also noticed how Gedeon came with the brothers from Borisov, he felt like he was from Cherven. The three abbesses with their sisters really made the service warmer, as in a big family. I didn't make it to the liturgy this time, but I was sorry - did you stay until the end, Ioana?