WESTERN EUROPEAN DIOCESE: 22 October 2025
The 100th anniversary of the repose of Saint Jonah of Hankou is celebrated in Luxembourg

In accordance with the directives of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and His Grace Bishop Irenei, the Parish of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Luxembourg solemnly celebrated the 100th anniversary of the repose of Saint Jonah of Hankou and Manchuria, the Wonderworker.

After Divine Liturgy, all the faithful gathered for a moleben to the Holy Hierarch Jonah, offering fervent prayers for his intercession and aid. With special love, the children of the parish’s Sunday School took part in the prayer, adorning the service with their pure and joyful singing.

In his homily after the Liturgy, Archpriest Ioann Grigori?a spoke about the self-sacrifice and love of Saint Jonah, about the miracles he performed, and emphasized that the saint’s life is an example of humility and service to one’s neighbor. Fr Ioann pointed out the significance of this feast for the whole community and urged all the faithful to keep St Jonah — their speedy helper — in their prayers.

After the moleben, all the parishioners were invited by the parish’s Orthodox youth group to the refectory, where they watched together a historical documentary film about the miraculous Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, spiritually preparing to welcome to the parish in the coming days this great relic of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, clergy and faithful of Geneva's Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross are currently undertaking a pilgrimage to Cyprus and the Holy Land. On Sunday, by the invitation of His Holiness Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem, Archpriest Emilian Pocinoc of the Geneva Cathedral participated in Divine Liturgy at which the newly-elected Archimandrite Symeon was consecrated as the new Archbishop of Mt Sinai.

The Diocese’s pilgrims were likewise present at the Liturgy, praying for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the new Hierarch, during the course of a Patriarchal Liturgy that lasted over four-and-a-half hours, celebrated by some 30 bishops and nearly as many priests.

Following the Divine Service, Fr Emilian greeted Archbishop Symeon on behalf of Bishop Irenei, and offered him the assurance of the prayers of all the faithful of the Diocese and indeed the entire Church Abroad for his new mission to the whole Church.

Western European Diocese