Valaam, July 11, 2023
Photo: patriarchia.ru
Another church was consecrated yesterday at one of the sketes of Valaam Monastery, one of the Russian Orthodox Church’s oldest and most beloved holy habitations.
As part of an ongoing primatial trip, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow consecrated the St. Andrew Church of the skete of the same name on Oboronny Island—part of the Valaam Archipelago in Lake Ladoga, reports the Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monasticism.
Photo: patriarchia.ru
There was a total of 13 sketes at Valaam Monastery before the revolution in 1917. To date, 11 of them have been restored, in addition to the main monastery. Oboronny Island has been an important fishing site for the brotherhood since the 19th century.
The foundation for the St. Andrew Church was laid in 2014, and in 2016, the construction of other skete buildings began. The church is built in a Byzantine style, emphasizing the connection between Valaam (often referred to as the Norhtern Athos) and Holy Mount Athos in Greece.
Photo: patriarchia.ru
The Patriarch was concelebrated by two hieromonks of the monastery. His Eminence Metropolitan Barsanuphius of St. Petersburg, and the abbot of Valaam, His Grace Bishop Pankraty of Troitsk, were also present.
Brethren of the monastery attended and sang at the Rite of Minor Consecration. A video from Patriarchia.ru shows scenes from the service:
At the end of the service, Pat. Kirill addressed those present, saying:
We live in a special time when, by the grace of God, churches are not being ruined, but are being built. On the one hand, it is joyful, but on the other hand, it brings responsibility. When churches were taken away from us and ruined, we were victims and could not carry out our ministry as we would like. And now the time has come when the Church has everything necessary for its saving mission, including that our monasteries are flourishing, replenished with brethren, and all this cannot but cause us to rejoice.
But at the same time, we must be aware of a special responsibility. Because, perhaps, there have never been such intricately woven and destructive temptations for the human soul from the outside world. And in no way can we weaken our spiritual vigilance, in no way can we weaken our efforts, but everyone in his place must do what the Lord has called him to do. The spiritual task from above, which is given to this monastery, is prayer.
As a gift for the newly consecrated church, His Holiness presented a copy of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God.
The Patriarch also consecrated a church at the monastery’s St. Abraham of Rostov Skete during his visit in July 2022.
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