In the Holy Assumption Florišhev Monastery, the memory of the 12 apostles was prayerfully commemorated.

      On the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, on the day of the commemoration of the Assembly of the Glorious and All-Honorable Twelve Apostles, festive church services were held at the Assumption Cathedral of the Holy Assumption Florischeva Desert. Vespers on the evening before, July 12, and the Divine Liturgy on the day of the feast, July 13, were headed by Bishop Gedeon of Vyksuna and Pavlovsk.

      During the services, His Grace was assisted by clergy of the monastery and invited clergy: Hieromonk Tikhon, Priest Sergey Orlov, Priest Nikolai Sushkov, Deacon Dimitry Storokin, and Hierodeacon Irinarch.

      Chanting was performed by the brotherhood choir of the monastery. Faithful gathered in the church raised special prayers to the disciples of Christ, who illuminated the universe with the light of the Gospel proclamation.

      About the feast: The Assembly of the Glorious and All-Honorable Twelve Apostles

      The Assembly of the Glorious and All-Honorable Twelve Apostles is one of the ancient Christian holidays. It is celebrated on July 13 (June 30 Old Style), the day after the commemoration of the Chief Apostles Peter and Paul.

      This day is dedicated to the collective glorification of the twelve closest disciples of Jesus Christ: Peter, Andrew, James the Son of Zebedee, John the Theologian, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the Less, Jude (Thaddaeus), Simon the Zealot, and Matthias, chosen to replace Judas Iscariot.

      The establishment of this common day of remembrance emphasizes the unity of the apostolic collegium and their equal dignity as pillars of the Church. Each of them endured special labors in the evangelization of Christ, preaching in different countries, and sealing their faith with martyrdom (except for the Apostle John the Theologian, who passed away in old age).

      The Holy Church, honoring each apostle on separate days of the year, unites them today in a single celebration, praising them as "ocular witnesses of the Word and servants," who laid the foundation for the Ecumenical Church on earth. The first church dedicated to the Twelve Apostles was built in Constantinople in the 4th century by the order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine the Great.