Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II has made a rite of the great consecration of the restored church of the skete in honour of the Smolensk ikon of the Mother of God on the island of Valaam.
After the Divine liturgy in the new temple the head of the Russian orthodox church making an informal visit to Valaam has presented the monastery with an old Smolensk ikon of the Mother of God, the official site of the Valaam monastery informed on Monday.
In his greeting Alexy II expressed his regret that could not keep the tradition and come to Valaam on the day of memory of Saint Sergy and Saint German of Valaam, founders of the monastery.
The Patriarch has noted, that the church built anew is better than the old one destroyed during winter war of 1939-1940, and has paid special attention on the church wall-paintings devoted to the Russian soldiers who "gave their lives for their faith and their Motherland." Names of the fallen soldiers will be remembered during divine services in Smolensk skete.
Alexy II has also expressed gratitude to friends of the monastery who helped to restore the monastery, and handed over church awards to philanthropists.
Out of the patriarch's hands Father Superior of the monastery Bishop Pankraty of Troitsk has received the Daniel of Moscow's award (II degree) in honour of the 20 anniversary of his service.
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