SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA: February 7, 2017|
Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America celebrates Divine services in Russia's Northern capital

On February 4, 2017, His Eminence Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America celebrated Divine Liturgy along with His Eminence Archbishop Amvrosy of Peterhof, the teachers and students in clerical rank of St Petersburg Theological Academy’s Church of Apostle John the Theologian. At the end of services, Vladyka Amvrosy, Director of the school, welcomed the honored guest from America and noted that it was the prayers of the Holy New Martyrs of the Russian Church, whose memory was being celebrated that day, that ten years ago united the two branches of the Russian Orthodox Church, in Russia and abroad.

“Today, during Divine Services, I prayed to the graduates of this school who became saints who connect North America and St Petersburg Theological Academy. Also, the spiritual father of my own spiritual father was Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky), who served as an inspector here, which connects me to this school on a personal level. I wish all of you success in your studies and in your service to the Russian Church and the Russian Nation. There is still a great deal that lies ahead in your life’s path,” noted Archbishop Peter.

The following morning, on his namesday, Archbishop Peter celebrated Divine Liturgy at St Catherine Cathedral in Tsarskoye Selo, which contains the relics of Holy Hierarch John (Kochurov), who served at one time in the Mid-American Diocese.

On Monday, February 6, the feast day of Blessed Xenia of St Petersburg, Archbishop Peter joined His Eminence Metropolitan Varsonofy of St Petersburg and Ladoga at the Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God on Vasiliev Island.

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