On January 7, 2021, the Christmas Liturgy was celebrated in the Church of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Elena, located on the territory of the summer residence of the Consulate General of Russia in Istanbul. The service, which was led by Priest Georgy Sergeyev, who is responsible for organizing the care of the flock of the Russian Orthodox Church in the territory of the Republic of Turkey, was attended by more than 40 people.
At a special litany, prayer petitions were announced for getting rid of the coronavirus infection.
At the end of the service, Father George read out the Christmas Message of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, then addressed the audience with a welcoming speech. After the service, the children who were present in the church received Christmas gifts.
On the feast of the Nativity of Christ, a divine service was also performed for believers living in the Turkish province of Antalya. The service was held in a room rented by the community, located in the city center.
The Liturgy, which was performed by Archpriest Sergiy Kazarin, responsible for the care of the Russian-speaking flock in the Antalya region, brought together more than 80 people from various settlements of the province: Alanya, Kemer, Side and Manavgat. The service was also attended by an employee of the Consulate General of Russia in Antalya, A. Adrianov.
At the end of the service, Father Sergius read out the Christmas Message of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, then addressed the faithful with a word.
On January 7, a Christmas service was held in the city of Izmir, which, with the blessing of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, was led by a resident of the Don Stavropol Monastery in Moscow, Hieromonk Hermogen (Burygin). About 30 people attended the service. The Liturgy was celebrated in coordination with the Mayor's Office of Izmir (Greek. Smyrna) in the Church of St. Vukol, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey.
On January 8, a Christmas service was held in the city of Eskisehir, located 200 kilometers west of Ankara. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the priest Georgy Sergeyev.
On January 11, the day of remembrance of the 14,000 babies who were beaten by Herod in Bethlehem, Priest Georgy Sergeyev performed a divine service for the faithful of the Moscow Patriarchate living in the city of Samsun on the Black Sea coast of Turkey.
On January 12 and 13, two Divine Liturgies were held in the region of the Turkish Aegean coast in the cities of Kusadasi (Aydin province) and Izmir, which were performed by Priest Georgy Sergeyev. About 30 people attended the services these days.