On 6 May 2015, the feast of the Holy Great Martyr and Victory-bearer George, His Eminence Vikenty, Metropolitan of Tashkent and Uzbekistan, head of the Central Asian Metropolitan District, began his Paschal visit to the Samarkand Deanery. That morning the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in Samarkand for its patronal feast. Concelebrating with Metropolitan Vikenty were: Archpriest Roman Zagrebelny, Priest Igor Babakov, Priest Timofey Sirodzhev, Priest Vladimir Skornyakov, Priest Dionisy Yakimenko, Priest Leonid Khimonidi, Deacon Andrey Tonkikh and Deacon Alexander Kolotovkin.
After the dismissal and the prayer before the ambo, a procession of the cross was held around the church, and at the end of the service Metropolitan Vikenty celebrated a panikhida (memorial service) for the newly departed Archpriest Vladimir Storozhuk, who for many years was rector of the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in Kokand (Fergana Deanery). Fr. Vladimir reposed in the Lord on the night of 5 to 6 May.
In his archpastoral address at the end of the service, His Eminence noted that many miracles are associated with the name of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious, and they continue to happen in our time. That is why on his feast day the church is full of people who thank the saint for his help and ask for his continued intercession, so as to preserve the faith that strengthens us in doing good. "We have faith in the crucified and risen God, Who suffered in His human nature for us in order to redeem us from sin, the curse and death. We often repeat these words, but what do they mean? The Lord delivered us from that original sin for which Adam and Eve were driven out of Paradise. Because of it Paradise was closed to all — to the righteous and the unrighteous alike. That was death. But the Lord opened the doors of Paradise to us and thereby delivered us from death," His Eminence said. "Now we can inherit the Kingdom of God, which is built only in our earthly life through honest labor and by keeping the commandments of the Lord. We must work conscientiously at our jobs, understanding that we do this before the eyes of God, Who will reward our labor with blessed eternity, toward which we must strive with all our strength. But unfortunately we do not live for eternity. We believe in God so that He will give us bodily health, wealth and earthly well-being. And this is a sign of our little faith. Of course, the Lord gives us health and various good things, for everything created on earth was created for man. But He waits for us to think first of all about heavenly things. 'But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you' (Matt. 6:33). Every Pascha strengthens us in our faith in the Risen Lord, Who will also raise us up for the Kingdom of God." After the service Metropolitan Vikenty visited the graves of departed clergy, where he served a litiya for the dead.
In the evening of the same day the archpastor celebrated Vespers and Matins according to the Paschal order at Saint Alexius Cathedral in Samarkand.
