The memory of the holy martyrs Victor and Vincent, the heavenly patrons of Metropolitan Vikenty of Tashkent and Uzbekistan, was honoured on 24 November 2020 at the main church of the diocese, the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. On this day the name-day celebrant celebrated the Divine Liturgy, and on the eve the All-Night Vigil. The clergy of the diocese concelebrated with His Eminence.
Praying at the Liturgy were Abbess Ekaterina (Malgina), superior of the Holy Trinity St. Nicholas Convent in Tashkent, the senior sister of the Holy Protection Convent in Dustabad together with the sisters of the holy monasteries, and students of the Tashkent Theological Seminary.
The hymns of the Liturgy were sung by the left choir of the cathedral (precentor T. Mitronina) and the choir of the students of the precentors' department of the Tashkent Theological Seminary (precentor A. Sladkova).
The sermon before Holy Communion was delivered by Archpriest Igor Khodyrev, dean of the Fergana deanery and rector of the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Fergana.
After Holy Communion a moleben of thanksgiving to the Lord was celebrated in honour of the name-day celebrant, and then the clergy and laity congratulated their archpastor on his name day.
Archpriest Sergiy Statsenko, rector of the Church of the Holy Right-Believing Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky and vice-rector for academic affairs of the Tashkent Theological Seminary: "Today we honour the memory of the holy martyr Vincent. We thank you, Your Eminence, for the great deal you have done in the diocese, including filling our diocese with holy relics and transforming the life of our parishes. We would like to wish you God's help in carrying out the calling entrusted to you, so that all your plans may be fulfilled successfully and in the best possible way, and that you may have the health, strength and spiritual joy for this."
Archpriest Igor Khodyrev, rector of the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Fergana: "Today I recall the Gospel passage when, after Jesus Christ had risen and after the threefold confession of the Apostle Peter, when the Lord asked him, 'Do you love Me?' and he answered, 'Yes, Lord, I love You,' the Lord called him to follow Him. Peter, turning around, saw the beloved disciple of Christ following them. Peter asks the Teacher, 'But Lord, what about this man?' The Lord says to him, 'If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?' It is this moment that I would like to draw attention to. The holy fathers explain that there are disciples whom the Lord calls, as He called Peter: 'Follow Me.' And there are disciples, like John the Theologian, who come of their own accord, because they feel that they belong.
Today we had the joy of concelebrating the Divine Liturgy with you and receiving Communion with you. You did not call us. But we came to you out of great love for you. Therefore we glorify God that the Lord has sent us such a wonderful archpastor. We try to carry out everything you command, though we do not always succeed. But we have a wonderful example to follow. We look at you and try to walk in your steps. May God grant you strength of soul and body, may the Lord pour out His grace upon you constantly, and through you upon us; and I also wish you the wisdom of Solomon."
Archpriest Andrei Tugushev, rector of the Church of the Hieromartyr Hermogenes in Tashkent: "We wish you, Your Eminence, many good years, years filled with God's grace in your labours and undertakings. Through the prayers and intercession of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and of the holy martyrs Victor and Vincent, many good years to you, so that all the seeds of labour that you sow here on earth may bear good fruit."
The archpastor was also congratulated by the staff of the diocesan administration, the parish council of the cathedral and devout laypeople.
