Tashkent, Uzbekistan, December 26, 2018
Photo: pravoslavie.uz The first church in honor of the holy Royal Martyrs in Central Asia was consecrated on December 22, the day of the “Unexpected Joy” Icon of the Mother of God, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The church is located on the territory of the spiritual and administrative center of the Tashkent and Uzbekistan Diocese and was consecrated by His Eminence Vikenty of Tashkent and Uzbekistan, reports the diocesan website.
Photo: pravoslavie.uz The construction of the 3-level temple took several years, and its opening and consecration was timed to the 100th anniversary of the martyrdom of the last Royal Family—Tsar Nicholas II, Tsarina Alexandra, and their children the Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia, and the Tsarevich Alexei.
Photo: pravoslavie.uz Following the Great Consecration, Met. Vikenty celebrated the first Liturgy on the consecrated altar. After the Liturgy, His Eminence addressed with a word of congratulations on the great spiritual event:
Finishing this year, the year of the centenary of the murder of the Royal Family, the holy Royal Passion-Bearers, we consecrated this church in honor of these martyrs for Christ, passion-bearers, holy God-pleasers, who pray and have great boldness before the throne of God, that He might grant us peace, mercy, prosperity, the forgiveness of our sins, and the correction of our lives to attain the Heavenly Kingdom. This is an important event for our diocese. May God grant that we ever come to this source of Divine grace. We are glad that another lamp has been lit on the altar here, that will illuminate and enlighten and strengthen by the grace of God all those who will pray in this church, to nourish their souls for the bearing of their cross, leading to eternal blessedness in Christ’s Kingdom.
Vladyka Vikenty also offered a pastoral word on the meaning of the “Unexpected Joy” Icon.
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