PARIS: February 15, 2010 
Bishop Michael of Geneva and Western Europe Participates In the Feast-Day Celebrations of Three Hierarchs Podvorie

On February 12, 2010, the feast day of the Three Hierarchs was marked at the podvorie of the same name in Paris, the main church of the Korsun Diocese of France. Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Innokenty of Korsun; His Grace Bishop Gabriel of Komansk (Constantinople Patriarchate); and His Grace Bishop Michael of Geneva and Western Europe (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia), along with clergymen of various jurisdictions, reports the official website of the Korsun Diocese.

Also in attendance during the service were Ambassador Alexander Orlov of the Russian Federation; seminarians of Epine-sur-Seine; and a multitude of parishioners.

In his sermon at the end of Liturgy, Archbishop Innokenty thanked the other hierarchs for participating in the main celebration of the Korsun Diocese, and invited them to the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Three Hierarchs Podvorie, scheduled for 2011. He called the joint service of the bishops, who represent the Russian Orthodox tradition in France, a great symbolic gesture, which attests to the common desire to work together for the good of the people of God.

In his response, Archbishop Gabriel thanked Vladyka Innokenty for his consistent good will, reminding everyone that the experience of unity sensed during Divine Liturgy must extend into the daily life of each Christian.

After divine services, the clergymen and worshipers were offered a festive trapeza feast.

Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church