Melide, Ticino, Switzerland, June 12, 2024
Photo: cerkov-ru.com
On Sunday, June 9, a Russian Orthodox church in south-central Switzerland was consecrated.
The Rite of the Great Consecration of the Church of the Holy Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos in Melide was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Nestor of Korsun and Western Europe. The day before, Met. Nestor was in Clamart, France, for the 100th anniversary of the Church of Sts. Constantine and Helen.
The relics of several saints who are highly venerated in the local area were placed in the altar: the martyrs Protasius, Gervasius, Nazarius, Kelsius and St. Ambrose of Milan, reports the Korsun Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Photo: cerkov-ru.com
Following the consecration, Met. Nestor celebrated the first Liturgy on the newly consecrated altar together with parish rector Hieromonk Svyatoslav (Zasenko) and other local clergy.
At the Small Entrance, Fr. Svyatoslav was awarded the right to wear the palitsa.
Parishioners and pilgrims from Switzerland and Italy were present at the joyous service.
The day concluded with a festive meal shared by the hierarch, clergy, and laity.
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Photo: cerkov-ru.com
The Orthodox community in Ticino was established in 2010, initially holding services in a small Catholic church. Fr. Svyatoslav has been the rector of the parish community since September 2011. A year later, the community had the opportunity to buy a German Lutheran church in Melide that was built in 1931.
The first Divine Liturgy in the new church was held on June 9, 2013.
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