On 5 September 2025, the day of the commemoration of the Holy Hieromartyr Irenaeus of Lyons, at the invitation of His Eminence Metropolitan Nestor of Chersonese, Exarch, Metropolitan John of Dubna concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Paris.
Note: 15 years ago, on 5 September 2010, in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, surrounded by twelve bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church, ordained Hegumen Nestor Bishop of Kafa, vicar of the Diocese of Chersonese.
The Liturgy was celebrated in Slavonic and French, with some liturgical ekphoneses in Italian, Moldovan and Greek. The liturgical chants were sung by the diocesan choir under the direction of Marina Politova. During the commemoration of the departed, prayers were offered for the eternal memory of Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov), who was called to the Lord 47 years ago, as well as for Metropolitans Nikolai (Yeryomin), Anthony (Bloom), Filaret (Vakhromeyev), Vladimir (Sabodan) and other hierarchs who once headed the Exarchate of Western Europe. Hieromonk Joseph (Pavlinciuc) delivered the homily before the communion of the faithful.
After the dismissal, on the occasion of the leave-taking of the feast of the Dormition, the bishops and priests venerated the icon of the Mother of God placed in the centre of the church.
Then Metropolitan Nestor addressed a word of archpastoral greeting to the faithful gathered in the cathedral, expressing his deep gratitude to each one for the good wishes and the prayer shared on this festive day.
In his address, Metropolitan John of Dubna congratulated Metropolitan Nestor on his 15 years of episcopal ministry, recalled his years of service in our Archdiocese, and wished him the help of the Lord and many years in the service of the Church of Christ.
Finally, the traditional chant “Mnogaya leta” (Ad multos annos) rang out.
The festivities concluded with a solemn reception at the premises of the diocesan administration of Chersonese.
