Moscow, June 29, 2018
Photo: blagovest-info.ru Thousands of foreigners have been pouring into Russian to attend the soccer matches in various cities, and many have also been taking the time to get acquainted with Russian history and culture, which gives the Church a unique opportunity to share the true Gospel with many who might otherwise never hear it.
To this end, Visoko-Petrovsky Monastery, located in the center of Moscow, has been holding concerts of church bell ringing for guests, and the monastery has also held services in English, reports TASS.
“We have been organizing bell-ringing concerts for guests of the monastery since the beginning of the World Championship. Organized groups of fans have come rarely, but a stream of fans has been flowing through all the central streets of Moscow. The brothers joyfully endure the sometimes-repetitive melodies and trust in the patience of our neighbors,” Abbot Peter (Eremeev) said.
Fr. Peter also noted that an English-language Liturgy was served in the monastery on Sunday by American hieromonk Fr. Constantine (Simon). It was attended by both Orthodox and non-Orthodox guests interested in Russian culture and history. After the service, all were treated to tea from a traditional wood-burning samovar.
“We communicated in English, French, German, Italian, Bulgarian, and Russian. We also printed educational booklets in English for the foreign visitors of our ancient monastery,” Abbot Peter noted.
The priest and parishioners of Holy Trinity Church on Sparrow Hills in Moscow have also been visiting the FIFA fanzone to speak with the many foreign guests about holy Orthodoxy, invite them to church, and distribute Orthodox literature.
It was also earlier reported that many fans have been visiting the Cathedral of the Ascension in Novocherkassk, including hundreds of Mexican soccer fans.
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