With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan HILARION, Archbishop of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, on April 12, 2015, the ROCOR faithful in Pakistan joyfully participated in the Paschal Divine Liturgy. The congregation was given the chance to prepare themselves during the Holy week. The parishioners participated in the services starting from Palm Sunday; it is the most joyous feasts of the year, as we commemorate the Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem and with full passion and true spirit the Orthodox faithful were taught well by Fr.Joseph Farooq how to follow the holy traditions of the Orthodox Church during the Passion Week. All the main services were well attended, with many parishioners receiving the sacrament of Confession and Holy Communion.
This year a seminar was held on “Great Lent and Holy Traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church.” In this seminar Fr. Joseph Farooq described to the faithful that fasting is very important for Orthodox Christians, and according to the holy traditions, the Orthodox faithful observe the fast on Wednesday and Friday throughout the year. Further he mentioned that we Orthodox Christians fast before Christmas, “The Nativity fast.” The faithful were also taught that Holy Saturday is a day of strict fasting for Russian Orthodox Christians. The motive of the seminar was the spiritual preparation of the Orthodox community for Holy Pascha.
Metropolitan Hilarion's 2015 Paschal Epistle:
His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion in his Paschal Epistle greeted all the faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia in Pakistan on the Great Feast of the Resurrection of Christ. This Paschal Epistle strengthens the Orthodox clergy and faithful with the unique teaching of the undivided apostolic Church, and His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion encourages the believers on the great feast of the splendid Resurrection of Christ by saying, “In the midst of our sorrows and temptations, renew us all with the joy of His Life-bearing Resurrection, support faith and piety with within us, illumine us with trust in the coming, eternal celebration on the never-waning day of His Kingdom. Amen.”
Active Participation of the Congregation:
This year all the Orthodox faithful and catechumens joyfully participated in all services and went through the spiritual experience of the Holy Week. Beside this they learned the holy traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church. The youth of St. Sergius Orthodox parish voluntarily and with full spirit and passion decorated the Church arena with buntings, banners and colorful ribbons. The Paschal Joy, Triumph of life, Christ's Resurrection bring many blessings for the Orthodox Church in Pakistan and throughout the world.
Humble Request:
With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan HILARION, Archbishop of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, dedicated the year 2015, that God willing we shall be able to buy land and build the first Holy Russian Orthodox Church in Pakistan and school for Orthodox and Non-Orthodox Christian Children. I earnestly pray to God that He may provide us the kind and generous donors for the completion of this sacred project.
Mission: Saint Michael Archangel Orthodox Mission in
Pakistan.
Parish: St. Sergius of Radonezh Orthodox Church Sargodha
Pakistan.
For queries about the Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia in Pakistan, kindly contact: fr.joseph.rocpk@gmail.com
