Yaroslavl, Russia, May 18, 2018
Photo: monasterium.ru On Sunday May 13, the day of commemoration of St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov), the 30th anniversary of the canonization of this great Russian hierarch and theologian was festively celebrated at the Entrance of the Theotokos-Tolga Monastery in Yaroslavl, Russia, where his precious relics repose, reports Monastic Herald.
The celebration began with the All-Night Vigil celebrated at the monastery on the eve of his feast by His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Yaroslavl and Rostov and His Grace Bishop Theodore of Pereslavl and Uglich and the clergy of the Yaroslavl Diocese.
Photo: monasterium.ru The feast day Liturgy the next day was celebrated in the monastery’s Church of the Holy Cross was celebrated by Met. Panteleimon, His Grace Bishop Benjamin of Rybinsk and Danilov, Bp. Theodore, and clergy from the Yaroslavl, Rybinsk, and Pereslavl Dioceses of the Yaroslavl Metropolia.
Photo: monasterium.ru Following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, Met. Panteleimon addressed those gathered with an archpastoral word, stating, “I heartily congratulate you all with the celebration in honor of the 30th anniversary of St. Ignatius. We have brought our feasible prayers to the saint’s holy relics today, beseeching help before the Lord’s Throne from the great holy hierarch, that we might walk the path of the Lord, and we hope that this help will always abide with us.”
Photo: monasterium.ru The opening of St. Ignatius’s relics took place on May 26, 1988 in the Church of St. John Chrysostom, in the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Platon (Udovenko) of Yaroslavl. His relics were then transferred to the Entrance of the Theotokos Monastery, where they remain to this day. He was glorified by the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church during its June 6-9, 1988 session at the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra.
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He is perhaps best known for his The Arena: An Offering to Contemporary Monasticism. The profound value of his ascetical writings can be gleaned in short from several quotes from his writings:
Salvation
Salvation consists in the restoration of our communion with God.
Unhappy is he who is satisfied with his own human righteousness, for he does not need Christ, Who says of Himself: I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Mt. 9:13).
Faith and hope in God’s Providence
There is no such thing as blind happenstance! God rules the world, and all that happens in heaven and under the heavens happens according to the wise and omnipotent God, unfathomable in His wisdom and omnipotence, and unfathomable in His governance.
If there is not a single event that is secret from God, then we must glorify God for everything that happens.
Life according to the Gospels
Do not be content with a mere fruitless reading of the Gospel; strive to fulfill its commandments, and read it with your deeds. This is the book of life, and it must be read by life.
We will be judged according to the Gospel commandments at the judgment established by God for us Orthodox Christians … we will be judged according to the Gospel, that carelessness in fulfilling the Gospel commandments is an active rejection of the Lord Himself.
Read more sayings of St. Ignatius here. Read a brief recounting of his life here.
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