On 24 November 2019 Metropolitan Vikenty of Tashkent and Uzbekistan, head of the Central Asian Metropolitan District, celebrated his name day. On this day, when the Holy Church honours the feats of the holy Martyrs Victor and Vikenty, Metropolitan Vikenty celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Dormition Cathedral in Tashkent. The All-Night Vigil was served the evening before.
Concelebrating with His Eminence were: Archbishop Evstafy, rector of the Metochion of the Holy Trinity–St. Sergius Lavra at the Church of the Korsun Icon of the Mother of God in the village of Glinkovo, Sergiev Posad District, Moscow Region; Mitred Archpriest Igor Balukhatin, Archpriest Ioann Kuleshov, Hegumen Nektary (Blinov), Archpriest Andrei Tugushev, Priest Sergiy Efimov, Hieromonk Spiridon (Pozdeev), Protodeacon Alexander Nesin, Deacon Mikhail Petukhov and Deacon Pyotr Gnatik.
The hymns of the Divine Liturgy were sung by the hierarchal choir (precentor Tatiana Mitronina), the left choir (precentor Elena Zaitseva) and the choir of the youth department (precentor Elena Nikitina).
The sermon before Holy Communion was delivered by Hieromonk Spiridon (Pozdeev), a cleric of the Dormition Cathedral.
After the Liturgy a moleben of thanksgiving to the Lord was served in honour of the person celebrating his name day, and His Eminence Vikenty then addressed the parishioners with his archpastoral word:
“In today’s Sunday Gospel reading we heard the account and instruction of our Saviour Jesus Christ on how we should do works of mercy towards the people around us. The Lord calls us to help people and to show mercy to all who surround us and who need our help, regardless of nationality or religion. We must give all of them whatever help we can, and do it with all our heart and with a willing spirit. We do this for Christ’s sake, for the sake of Christ’s Kingdom, because in doing good and showing mercy to our neighbour we do it to Christ our God Himself. That is why today, through the Apostle Paul, the Holy Church calls on us to help people as we would help Christ Himself, knowing that for our good disposition towards works of mercy Christ the Saviour grants us eternal blessed life, a reward in heaven.”
Archbishop Evstafy then congratulated Metropolitan Vikenty on his name day and wished him “God’s help in his archpastoral ministry, good health, and many blessed years”. Archbishop Evstafy also expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and for the joy of communion in prayer.
On behalf of the clergy, the staff of the diocesan administration and the parishioners of the diocese, the first secretary of the diocese, Archpriest Igor Balukhatin, congratulated the Metropolitan on his name day:
“Today we have a double joy: joy in the risen Christ, and joy that today is your name day. Today we honour your heavenly patrons, the Martyrs Victor and Vikenty, who have always interceded for you in prayer throughout your life. Dear Vladyka, all of us, the priests of the Diocese of Uzbekistan, wish you strong and good health. May God grant you to carry your demanding archpastoral ministry in our country for many more years. May the Lord help you in this, and may the holy martyrs pray to God for you.”
