#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. On January 6 and 7, on the bright feast of the Nativity of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, Bishop Agafangel of Norilsk and Turuhansk celebrated Christmas services at the Cathedral of the Icon of the Mother of God Joy of All Who Sorrow in the city of Norilsk.
Norilsk residents celebrated the feast of the Christ Nativity. They prepared for it in advance, observing fasting, visiting temples and helping their neighbors. On the night of January 6-7, the townspeople hurried to the traditional service, after which, according to all religious canons, you can break the fast at the festive table.
Festive services began at 00:00 on January 7 in all the churches of the Big Norilsk. The clergy raised special petitions, the archpastor in the cathedral read a prayer for holy Russia and peace.
The Vladyka noted that for a Christian, Christmas days are not a recollection of past events – they are colored by personal experience, because everyone remembers the moment when Christ came into his life: at the moment of baptism, great sorrow or joy, or just when meeting with the beauty of God’s world:
“This feeling of the God presence in your personal space is unforgettable. The mystery of life has been revealed to us, the Lord has come into our heart, which should remain pure, like the swaddling clothes of the newborn Baby Jesus”.
To follow Christ, Bishop Agafangel said, is a great work, selfless work, but joyful, since the crown of this spiritual work is eternal union with God.
From January 7 to January 18 – until Epiphany Christmas Eve – Christmas time lasts. This is the time for visits with gifts and funny carols.
Joyful Christmas holidays are also prepared in other parishes of the Norilsk diocese.
Earlier, New Year and Christmas charity events were held in Norilsk in favor of children from disadvantaged and single-parent families, orphans, low-income and low-mobility citizens, and representatives of the diocesan sisterhood Mercy went to the Dudinka orphanage: the Give Joy for Christmas event was held there.
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Marina Horoshevskaya, Photo: Nikolay Shchipko, Norilsk Diocese
