Archbishop Theophylact visited the parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Turkmenistan
The Temporarily in Charge of Patriarchal Deanery of the parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Turkmenistan, Archbishop Theophylact of Pyatigorsk and Circassian had a working visit to Turkmenistan on October 6-8, 2017.
The Archpastor led the festivities of the Parish Feast in the newly consecrated church in honor of the icon of the Holy Mother of God "The Hearer" in the Nikolsky Cemetery of Ashgabat. During the church service, Archbishop Theophylact prayed for the victims of the Ashgabat earthquake of 1948.
On the territory of the Nikolsky Cemetery of Ashgabat, many victims of the catastrophe were buried on October 6, 1948. At the end of the Liturgy, a requiem (panikhida) was performed. A funeral dinner was arranged for the parishioners.
"Today we will say grace and special pray to the deceased and those who helped to restore Ashgabat. It is in moments of tragedy that we show truly Christian love, mercy, compassion. Let us remember the innocent victims and thank those who accomplished the feat of the revival of our city," said Archbishop Theophylact.
On the same day, Archbishop Theophylact and clergymen of the Patriarchal Deanery laid a wreath at the memorial to the victims of the Ashgabat earthquake.
On October 7th, The Temporarily in Charge of Patriarchal Deanery of the parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Turkmenistan served the Liturgy in the Church of the icon of the Holy Mother of God "Seeking of the lost" " in the city of Dashoguz.
This was also the day that Archbishop Theophylact visited Ancient Kunyaurgench, on the territory of which he examined the monuments of the Middle Ages and communicated with local residents.
On October 8th, Archbishop Theophylact served the Liturgy at the St. Nicholas Church in Ashgabat. The participants of the divine service were offered a festive Turkmen pilaf after the Liturgy.
On the same day the Archpastor headed the consecration of the parish building, where the families of clergymen accommodated. The Archbishop congratulated them and wished a happy life in the new house.
On the third day of the visit Archbishop Theophylact served the all-night Vigil in the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral of the capital of Turkmenistan.
Visiting communities and parishes, communicating with believers, Archbishop Theophylact conveyed to all the words of the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia who expressed his hope for visiting Turkmenistan and organizing a joint prayer with the Orthodox inhabitants of the country in the near future.
Turkmen people are tolerant people. Since ancient times, on the territory of present-day Turkmenistan, the homeland of the first world religion - Zoroastrianism, representatives of different nationalities and confessions peacefully coexisted.
Scientists think that the first Christians appeared here at the beginning of a new era, when the Roman Empire began mass persecutions of followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ.
According to biblical legends, Apostles Thomas and Andrew the Protocletos preached among the ancestors of the Turkmen.
