Archbishop Feofilakt of Pyatigorsk and Cherkessk, Acting Administrator of the Patriarchal Deanery of the Russian Orthodox Church in Turkmenistan, made a working visit to Turkmenistan. This was reported by the official website of the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church.
During his visit, the bishop held services at the Church of the Apostle Thomas in Tejen, as well as at the Alexander Nevsky, Resurrection, and St. Nicholas churches in Ashgabat. During the festive services, the bishop conveyed Easter greetings and congratulations from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ to the clergy and faithful of Turkmenistan.
Following the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Apostle Thomas in Tejen, Archbishop Feofilakt presented the church’s rector, Priest Dimitry Kireev, with an episcopal certificate for his work in the parish and in commemoration of his 10th anniversary as a priest. That same day, the bishop inspected the progress of construction and restoration work at the church. Thanks to the renovation of the parish house, supported by the Patriarchal Deanery, it now has space for Sunday classes for children and adults.
During the trip, an Easter reception for the ambassadors of Russia and Belarus was held at the Patriarchal Spiritual and Educational Center in Ashgabat. Embassy staff and their families also participated in the festive event.
Bishop Feofilakt thanked the diplomats for their cooperation with the Patriarchal Deanery in the cultural and humanitarian spheres. “Thanks to the wise and balanced policies of Turkmenistan’s leadership and its interaction with local administrations, Orthodox communities are developing, establishing ties with one another, and implementing humanitarian and cultural initiatives,” the bishop stated.
Archbishop Feofilakt also chaired a meeting of the Council of Deans. Participants discussed organizing summer activities for children of parishioners in Turkmenistan’s churches.
