I experienced the deepest disappointment, shock and pain. My soul felt an incredible thirst to touch the Holy Relics of St. Joseph of Belgorod, the Miraculous Images of the Mother of God "The Sign", Nicholas the Soldier in the Transfiguration Cathedral of the city of Belgorod.
Experiencing great difficulties, I arrived on August 07, 2023 from Voronezh to this Cathedral. The time was 18.35. According to information from the official website of the Cathedral, it is open to the public until 19.00 hours.
What did I encounter?
With the friendly and kind attitude of the Cathedral staff?!
With hospitality and cordiality towards the guests of the city?!
No!!!
With coldness and callousness!!! In the Icon Shop, the employee reread the "revenue" and did not even answer my question about whether it was possible to submit notes.
I went to the temple in order to have time to venerate the Shrines before the closing of the temple, but literally in front of my nose, the doors were locked by the workers of the Cathedral. One of them hurriedly left in a foreign car, and the second explained that the cathedral was closing after the service. I began to explain that I had come from afar, that the opening hours of the temple were indicated on the official website until 19.00, I asked to call the priest and ask for permission. By 19:00, a guard came (just at the time when the temple should be closed, according to the schedule), called, according to him, the Rector of the temple, who did NOT allow the temple to be opened for the worship of Shrines.
An icy shower washed over me.
And I am experiencing such emotional distress and suffering that I cannot calm down and understand how, instead of the comfort and help I needed so much, I was faced with indifference and contempt.
I cried all the way home, and I'm crying now. And everything in me turned upside down...
and this is the main cathedral of the city, it's scary to think what happens in other churches of the Belgorod diocese then. What kind of love, mercy for one's neighbor can we talk about?!
It is unlikely that I will ever be able to visit this Cathedral again and worship the Shrines...
My sincere desire was rudely trampled on...
Everyone knows the shortest sermon by Anthony of Sourozh.
Bishop Anthony came out to the people during the morning Liturgy, and said:
"A woman with a child came to the service last night. She was wearing trousers and no headscarf. One of you made a remark to her. She's gone.
I do not know who made the remark to her, but I order this person to pray for her and this child for the rest of his days, so that the Lord will save them.
Because because of you, she may never come to the temple again."
Remember this.
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Level 30 Local Expert
October 15, 2022
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