First Filipino Russian Orthodox priest ordained at Saint Petersburg’s Theology Academy
Leoniel Gondayao of Parañaque City became the first Filipino monk of the Russian Orthodox faith to enter priesthood. He was ordained at the Theology Academy of Saint Petersburg in Russia. The ordination was presided over by the Metropolitan Paul of Manila and Hanoi (Fokin Pavel Semenovich), who traveled to Saint Petersburg from his jurisdiction in Russia, the Khanty-Mansisyk autonomous region in Western Siberia for this very special occasion.
Fokin Pavel Semenovich, Metropolitan Paul of Manila and Hanoi, who traveled to Saint Petersburg from his jurisdiction in Russia, the Khanty-Mansisyk autonomous region in Western Siberia, presided over the ordination.
The event was witnessed by third secretary and vice consul Catherine Alpay, who represented Philippine Ambassador to Russia Igor G. Bailen upon the invitation of Archpriest Dimitri Sizonenko, dean of Foreign Students of the Theology Academy of Saint Petersburg. The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) has known congregations in Davao del Sur and Sarangani provinces in Mindanao (as distinct from the Orthodox Church from Constantinople and the Greek Orthodox Church, which has cathedrals in Makati and Parañaque).
Moscow PE photo
www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph
. (Moscow PE photo)