Penza, 7 January 2017. PenzaNews. The Archbishop Seraphim of Penza and Nizhnelomovsk led Great Christmas Vespers in Uspensky cathedral on Saturday evening, January 7.

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When the Liturgy was over, the Bishop Mitrofan of Serdobsk and Spassk turned to the Archbishop noting that on Christmas, cathedrals are filled with prayers of believers and Liturgy fills our hearts with gladness.

“You do a lot for the benefit of our metropolitanate, you take care of houses of God, you take care of one of the main shrines – our Spassky Cathedral, and what is more, you pay great attention to the young generation,” the Bishop Mitrofan said and presented a bunch of flowers and the Icon of Holy Mother to the Archbishop Serafim.

In turn, the Bishop Nestor of Kuznetsk and Nikolsk drew attention to the Archbishop’s contribution to the revival of spiritual life in the Penza region.

Turning to the Archbishop Serafim, Alexander Yeremkin, deputy chairman of the regional Legislative Assembly, noted that “the Orthodox faith unites nowadays the world and the good across the globe”.

“Everything is very complicated in the world but thanks to your prayers, thanks to your work, I think, peace will be preserved,” he said.

According to the head of Penza Valery Savelyev, Christmas unites all people and they do good deeds for the sake of the city

“I wish you health, strength, kindness, and God’s help for making good and kind things,” the head of the city added.

In turn, the Archbishop Serafim thanked all the people who spoke to him for the good words and congratulations.

“I congratulate you on Christmas too and bow before you for the attention and love that you give to me. May God keep you safe,” the Archbishop said.