On the day of the memory of St. Philip the Apostle, November 27, Sharjah (UAE) celebrated the patronal feast of the first and only temple of the Russian Orthodox Church on the Arabian Peninsula.
The festive Liturgy in the church in the name of the Apostle Philip was led by Bishop Alexy of Baku and Azerbaijan. The hierarch was co-served by the rector of the temple, Archimandrite Alexander (Zarkeshev), the secretary of the Baku diocese, Archpriest Dionysius Svechnikov, and the cleric of the temple, Priest Konstantin Orlov. The deaconess rank was represented by Protodeacon Konstantin Markovich and Deacon Alexy Kostin.
The liturgical hymns were performed by the parish choir. The temple was decorated with garlands of fresh flowers.
After the Gospel reading, Bishop Alexy addressed the parishioners with the words of a sermon.
Most of those gathered for the patronal feast partook of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.
At the end of the Liturgy, a glorification was performed in front of the icon of St. Philip the Apostle in the middle of the temple.
After his release, Archimandrite Alexander addressed greetings to Bishop Alexy of Baku and Azerbaijan. In response, the archpastor congratulated the rector, the rector and the parishioners on the patronal feast.