On June 10-14, 2024, the Easter archpastoral visit of the administrator of the Patriarchal Deanery of the parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Turkmenistan, Archbishop Feofilakt of Pyatigorsk and Cherkessk, took place to the parishes of the country.
The trip began with an Easter reception for the clergy and their family members. In a warm, festive atmosphere, His Eminence talked with the families of the clergy.
"Thank you, dear fathers and mothers, for your worthy service to the Mother Church, especially for the ministry of mercy, which His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia constantly reminds us of. Your every kind word, good deed, addressed not only to your co-religionists, but also to your neighbors, has a special meaning here," Archbishop Theophylact said.
During the trip, the Archpastor performed divine services in the temples of Ashgabat and its suburb of Abadan, and on the eve of the celebration of Easter, he led the patronal celebrations of the Resurrection Church of the capital of Turkmenistan. According to the established tradition, all the clergy of the Patriarchal Deanery gather for the holiday.
Archbishop Theophylact also attended a reception on the occasion of Russia Day at the Embassy of the Russian Federation, where he conveyed congratulations to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ivan Kirillovich Volynkin and personally congratulated diplomats, compatriots and guests. At the reception, the Bishop had a brief conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov.
During the visit, Archbishop Theophylact spoke with representatives of the media. In an interview, the Archpastor spoke about the joint efforts of Orthodox communities and cultural heritage protection agencies to preserve monument temples in Turkmenistan.
The visit ended with a solemn service of the feast of the Ascension of the Lord. "I am pleased to convey to you the prayerful blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, wishes of peace, goodness and prosperity to the faithful and the entire people of sunny Turkmenistan," Archbishop Theophylact said at the end of the festive liturgy.