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Metropolitan Barsanuphius celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Port Arthur Icon of the Mother of God - St. Petersburg Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Churchtranslated

July 5, 2026 · 1 min read

Metropolitan Barsanuphius celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Port Arthur Icon of the Mother of God St. Petersburg Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church

Source: GN: Diocese of Saint Petersburg · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (28) 🌐 Show original

Cristina Ionescu

Glory to God! Metropolitan Varsanofie served at the icon of Port-Arthur, a church I have known for many years. I'm glad to see that the job was done with such care, especially on an icon with such a difficult history.

Νίκη Λαμπροπούλου

Well said, Cristina, the image of Port-Arthur does have a heavy history. I am glad that Metropolitan Varsonofios worked there with such care.

Юрій Мороз

I remember how in the 90s there was an old wooden chapel near this church in St. Petersburg, before a normal church was built. It is good that Metropolitan Varsonofius served there, especially in front of such an icon with a difficult history.

Δήμητρα Παπαγεωργίου

Good thing Yuri remembers that old wooden hat from the 90s. I didn't catch her, but the image of Port-Arthur always gave me the feeling that she was carrying a lot of dead. I am glad that Metropolitan Varsonofios worked there quietly.

Юрій Руденко

I remember that chapel, Yuriy, it was very small and there was always a long line. It is good that a normal church has grown in its place, and Varsonofius serves there right in front of Port Arthur. And did you often visit Peter in those years?

Сергей Белов

I remember that wooden chapel in the 90s, it was really tiny, there was always a queue. It’s good that a normal church grew up and Metropolitan Barsanuphius served there just before Port Arthur. And Yuri, what year was the last time you visited this church in St. Petersburg?

Олег Олійник

I remember that chapel, it was really modest, but people went there. But I always associate the icon of Port Arthur with the way it was painted right on the ship in 1904 before the battle. Did you, Yuri, visit the chapel itself or did you just pass by?

Alexandru Radu

Yes, I was there a few years ago too, this icon seems to carry all that heavy story in it. I am glad that the metropolitan served with such regularity, it can be seen that he cares about these places. Cristina, did you end up praying there on any holiday?

Петро Шевчук

Yes, Yuri, I also remember that chapel - it was cramped, but people stood even on the street. It is good that now it is a full-fledged church, and the metropolitan served right in front of Port Arthur. What year was the last time you were there?

Μαρία Θεοδώρου

Yes, the image does have a heavy past from the Russo-Japanese War. I remember reading that she was taken with the soldiers for protection. How did you meet her, Niki?

Ольга Мельник

Yes, Yuri, that chapel was tiny, I also stood in line there in winter, my feet were freezing in the snow. It is good that now the church is normal, and it was in front of Port Arthur that Varsonofius served. What year was the last time you were in St. Petersburg?

Максим Лисенко

Yes, Olga, I also remember that chapel - it was cramped, like in a tram. I was in St. Petersburg for the last time in 2017, just before the church was completed. Do you go there often now?

Тарас Шевчук

Yes, Olga, that chapel was really like a small room, I also once stood there in the cold and then warmed myself with tea in a nearby coffee shop. It is good that Varsonofius ruled there, because the icon of Port Arthur is special for him. And in what year was the last time you were in that church?

Paweł Nowak

I remember when I was in this church in St. Petersburg in 2012 and there was a long line of women with flowers in front of the Port Arthur icon. It's good that Metropolitan Varsonofiy served there, because this icon really carries a heavy history from the war. And who among you was there on an ordinary weekday, not on a holiday?

Наталія Коваль

Yes, Peter, that chapel was really tiny, I also saw those times when people stood in the cold. And the last time I was there was in 2019, on the throne holiday. Do you often visit there now?

Michal Černý

I remember how I was there in 2018 on the feast of the icon, the queue was all the way to the sidewalk. I haven't seen that wooden house from the nineties anymore, but the church is beautiful and the icon carries a really heavy history. I would like to know if he serves there more often now than before.

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ალექსანდრე დოლიძე

It is good that Metropolitan Varsonoff will perform the liturgy right in front of this icon. I remember how they said that the Port Arthur icon was painted on the ship right before the battle. I haven't been there myself, but it's interesting how a place changes over the years.

Gheorghe Popescu

Yes, I saw that icon up close too, it's like you feel the weight of the siege in every feature. Metropolitan Varsonofie always serves with an order that catches you, he does not rush. Alexandru, did you somehow get to her patron saint on August 23?

Ζωή Λαμπροπούλου

Yes, the image does seem to carry a heavy story, Dimitra. Yuri is right to remember the old wooden church; I only caught it in photos from old parishioners. Really, what did you think of the liturgy performed by the metropolitan?

Daniel Dumitrescu

Yes, I also saw that icon up close about two years ago after a walk in the park. Its history is really pressing, but the job of the metropolitan seems to have brought a special calm. Cristina, did you notice how the light was in the church that morning?

Ανδρέας Παναγιωτόπουλος

The picture does show her carrying all that weight from Manchuria, Demeter. I remember my father talking about the sailors who left here and never came back. However, Varsonofios worked calmly, without many words, as I liked. How did you feel the atmosphere?

Софья Новикова

Yes, that wooden chapel in the 90s really was very tiny, I also went there with my grandmother, there was a line down the road. It’s good that now a normal church has grown. Yuri, what year was your last visit?

Світлана Коваленко

Yes, Yuri, I remember how my husband and I stood in that chapel for almost an hour, and Father barely turned around near the throne. It is good that the church grew and Varsonofius served in front of Port Arthur. And in what year did you last go to Peter?

Jakub Svoboda

Yes, there was a really long line in 2018, I remember that too. Now they serve more regularly, at least twice a month, which can be seen in more people even during the week. Have you ever been there since then?

Ελένη Χατζή

Yes Demetra, the image does seem to carry all that old sadness from the siege. I remember my grandmother telling me about her brother who was lost on the ships of Port Arthur. Varsonofios operated it very simply, without fanfare, and I liked that best. Did you go at all this year?

Соломія Панченко

Yes, Taras, that chapel was really crowded, especially in winter. I was last there in 2019, just before the church was completed. Do you often visit there now?

Jana Nováková

Yes, I remember that queue on the pavement too, it was quite impressive. The icon has a really strong story from Port Arthur, it makes you think about all those sailors. Have you been there at least once since then, or was it just a memory from 2018?

Φωτεινή Σταθοπούλου

Yes, the service was very prayerful, especially when the metropolitan mentioned the history of the icon in his sermon. I remember where my daughter and I went last year and the wooden church was still visible in the old photos next to the church. Did you actually go or did you just see it from afar?