GERMAN DIOCESE: May 2, 2025
The Cathedral of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad celebrates the golden jubilee of Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany

On Thursday, May 1, 2025, the German Diocese solemnly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the clerical service (ordination to deacon and presbyter), as well as the monastic tonsure of His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. The celebrations were attended by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, who brought the wonderworking Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God.

On the morning of May 1, the First Hierarch was solemnly greeted in the Munich Cathedral and vested on the cathedra. On this jubilee day, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by
Metropolitan Nicholas; Metropolitan Mark; His Eminence Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral (Serbian Orthodox Church); His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Germany, Central and Northern Europe (Romanian Orthodox Church); His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory of Düsseldorf and All Germany (Serbian Orthodox Church); His Eminence Archbishop Tikhon of Ruza (administrator of the Berlin and German diocese of the Moscow Patriarchate); His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe; His Grace Bishop Job of Stuttgart; His Grace Bishop Alexander of Vevey (retired). The Archpastors were joined by 50 priests, among whom was Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, and 13 deacons.

Praying in the church on this day were Abbess Elizabeth, abbess of the Gethsemane Monastery of Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene; Abbess Maria, Abbess of the Convent in Buchendorf, Nun Maria, Administrator of the Orthodox School in Buchendorf in Bethany.

At the Liturgy, the Dean of the Cathedral, Archpriest Nikolai Artemov, was awarded the right to serve the Liturgy with the Royal Doors open until the Cherubic Hymn.

At the end of the service, Metropolitan Nicholas presented Metropolitan Mark with a decree of blessing from the Synod of Bishops, which was read out by the cathedral's Protodeacon Bartholomew Bazanov. The bishops conveyed to Vladyka Mark words of congratulations and gifts of remembrance. Many Years was sung to all participants.

An abundant trapeza luncheon was then offered to all in attendance.

Herald of the German Diocese