Cathedral of the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John.

Cathedral of the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John. The Orthodox Church established the custom on the next day of the great Lord and Mother of God holidays to remember those saints who in the closest way served this sacred event in history. So, on the next day of the Epiphany, the Church honors the one who served the cause of the Baptism of Christ, laying his hand on the head of the Savior. The Holy Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John, the greatest of the prophets, completes the history of the Church of the Old Testament and opens the era of the New Testament. According to the words of church hymns, St. John was a “bright morning star,” which excelled the radiance of all other stars with its brilliance and foreshadowed the morning of a blessed day illuminated by the spiritual Sun - Christ. St. John the Baptist is a great teacher of repentance and a prayer book for peace on the Day of Judgment. Therefore, the icon called "Deesis" of the last Judgment depicts John the Baptist on the left side of the Savior and the Virgin Mary on the right side.

St. John the Baptist is of spiritual value to the whole Church and represents a state of Christian consciousness.

On this holiday, Metropolitan Vladimir visited the monastery, bringing blessing and gifts.

After the service and thanksgiving, he visited the Lyceum of Arts, and the students performed a small concert of traditional carols.

In conclusion, Metropolitan Vladimir blessed all monks, clergy, students and believers for a fruitful new year and a new decade for the glory of God.