Penza, 8 January 2015. PenzaNews. Bishop Seraphim of Penza and Nizhnelomovsk, Bishop Mitrofan of Serdobsk and Spassk, and Bishop Nestor of Kuznetsk and Nikolsk have led the grand Christmas vesper in the Penza Assumption Cathedral on Wednesday, January 7.

At the end of the vesper, bishop Seraphim addressed the gathering with wishes of peace and well-being.

He was joined by the Penza region governor Vasily Bochkarev, who asked the people to continue their work for the good of their Motherland and religion in spite of hindrances.

The head of the region has presented the bishop Seraphim with a holy icon of St. Innocent of Penza. In his turn, the cleric gave Vasily Bochkarev the medal of St. Johann of Olenev of the 1st degree – one of the most highly regarded in the ranks.

“You have just stated that we will be constructing new education institutions, sports objects and churches this year. We know you have done a lot for the churches in Penza, and for that, we are very much grateful and obliged,” added bishop Serphim.

In his turn, the head of the Penza religious group received greetings from Joann Yavorsky, hegumen of the Pokrovsky Hegumen Cathedral and chairman of the construction department of the Penza diocese.

As per the report of the Penza diocese press branch, he presented the bishop with a set of religious items to equip the hegumen house of the Sunday church’s south wing.