Pogranichnoye[1]. On May 27th, Archbishop Venyamin of Vladivostok and Primorye, together with local clergy, performed the rite of Great Consecration of the temple of the Holy Great Martyr George the Conqueror and served the first Divine Liturgy at the Russian-Chinese border.
The temple is built in the vicinity of the "Sosnovaya Pad'" border passage for automobiles, on the territory of the international trade complex. Representatives of military border forces headed by Lieutenant General Vladimir Lakizo were present at the celebration. Since the celebration took place the day before the "Border Guards' Day", his Eminence served a moleben in honor of the border forces and extended greetings on the 88th anniversary of the border forces, wishing them outstanding service for the good of the Fatherland.
Holiday guests included the representatives of the mayoralty of the adjoining Chinese city of Suifenhe. The temple was filled to capacity during the divine service.
After the celebration which took place in the temple of St. George the Conqueror, Archbishop Venyamin, accompanied by its rector, priest Lev Kalachikov, visited the temple of the Dormition of the Theotokos in the Pogranichnoye settlement and, in the evening, served the all night vigil for a great number of parishioners of the temple. Vladyka Venyamin extended Holy Paschal greetings to the residents of Pogranichnoye, proclaiming to them the traditional "Christ is Risen!"
[1] Pogranichnoye = border.