Metropolitan Sergei (Petrov)

Metropolitan Sergei (Petrov) (1924-1990)

Sergei may be spelt Serge, Sergei, Sergiy, Sergius.

Vasiliy may be spelt Vasili, Vasily, Basilios, Basil, Basile.

Ol'ga may be spelt Olga.

Theodora may be spelt Feodora.

Nikolai may be spelt Nikolay, Nicolas, Nicholas.

Early life of Sergei Vasilievich Petrov

On 5 October, 1924, Sergei Vasilievich Petrov was born in Krasnodar, in southern Russia, to Vasiliy Ilarionovich Petrov and Ol'ga Ivanovna Petrova (born Litvin]. He had a younger brother Nikolai Vasilievich.

Vasiliy Ilarionovich was originally from Zvenigorod near Moscow, and Ol'ga Ivanovna was originally from Izium, on the Donets River, near Kharkov (at that time within the Russian Empire). They moved to Yekaterinodar (now Krasnodar) because the land was better. There, Vasili Ilarionivich became a "white-collar" office-worker. Before the October Revolution of 1917, he worked in the Bank of the City of Yekatorinodar. After the Revolution, he was the supervisor of a tobacco warehouse (he, himself, did not smoke). Later, he was the inspector at the grain-elevator. He was a very hard worker, and he worked as necessary to provide for his family. This characteristic of diligent work was transferred to his children.

Ol'ga Ivanovna was a faithful and devout Orthodox Christian. With diligence, she raised her children as was the custom of the time, and she instilled love for the Church and love for worship in her children. This was perhaps her most important legacy to them.

A pious Orthodox Christian family (despite the Soviet environment), the parents raised their 5 children as devout Orthodox Christians within the Russian Orthodox Church. In fact, their home life was filled with joy and love, and the whole of life was "informed" by the regular services and feast-days of the Orthodox Church. The siblings included : Zinaida, Ivan, Sergi, Raisa, Nikolai. On Sundays and Feast-days, the family was predictably at worship in the Temple.

The education of Sergei Vasilievich was in accordance with the school-system of the time. However, Sergei and Nikolai were often mocked, ridiculed and oppressed at school by the atheistic teachers, and by children of atheists. Through this mistreatment, they learnt both patience and humility.

In addition to the official education, Sergei was taught secretly and informally by his family (particularly his mother) and the local clergy. From childhood, he and his brother Nikolai served in the Temple as a Acolytes ("ponomars"), readers and subdeacons with several bishops in the City of Krasnodar (as it was known by then). Not only were there Vicar-Bishops of Krasnodar, but also he lived there during the service of several successive bishops of what was known as the "Kuban and Yekaterinodar Diocese".

Because of the very difficult times of persecution, the bishops frequently lived in secret places, especially in the 1930s.

Bereavement, 1934

On 18 May, 1934, Vasily Illarionovich fell asleep in the Lord suddenly. Because he had been the only "breadwinner" in the family, Ol'ga Ivanovna came to the edge of poverty. The house in which the family lived was taken away. They had to move into a small two-room apartment together along with the elderly Anisia Afanasyevna, her mother. The eldest daughter Zinaida studied then at an Institute ; Ivan passed his military service in Kronstadt and he could not take the provision of family to his shoulders ; Sergei was almost 10 years old ; Nikolai was 6 years of age. Raisa reposed tragically in the collapse of the roof during a fire in a children's summer camp, while she was saving those under her care. Occasionally, when the need was great, Anisia Afanasyevna would go into the street and ask for alms. Despite all the pain and grief, Ol'ga Ivanovna persevered in the raising of her children by leading the life of a true Christian, in the highest sense of the word. She had confidence in the Providence of God and in His love for her and the family.

In 1935, Ol'ga Ivanova was tonsured secretly as a nun (female monk). Even her children were unaware. She was given the name Feodora (Theodora), and she continued to raise her family while living as a nun in the world. She was frequently in the Temple and she regularly prepared for and received Holy Communion. She was protected and guided in her devoted life by Bishop Joseph (Tchernov) (1893-1975) of Taganrog (later Metropolitan of Alma Ata and Kazakhstan), whom she had known for long time. It was under the guidance of both Nun Theodora (Petrov) and under the blessing of Bishop Joseph (Tchernov) that both the younger sons Sergei and Nikolai were formed, protected and guided in their lives. Vladyka Joseph also gave the young men some financial aid. It was because of their mother's request that Bishop Joseph helped both the brothers over many years. Meanwhile, the older children completed their education and began to form their own families.

Sergei Vasilievich Petrov graduated from high school (gymnasium) in Krasnodar in 1942.

Monastic tonsure, 1943

On 16 April, 1943, Bishop Joseph (Tchernov) of Taganrog (the temporary administrator of the Krasonodar diocese at that time) tonsured him to be a monk with the name Sergei (named for a different saint, Saint Sergei of Radonezh).

Through this tonsure, Vladyka Joseph saved Monk Sergei (Petrov) from captivity to the Nazi German occupiers.

Diaconal ordination, 1943

On 16 April, 1943, Bishop Joseph (Tchernov) of Taganrog ordained Monk Sergei (Petrov) to the Holy Diaconate.

Diaconal service

On 1 June, 1944, Archbishop Photius (Topiro) of Krasnodar and Kuban assigned Hierodeacon Sergei (Petrov) to serve as Second Deacon of the Saint Catherine Cathedral of Krasnodar.

On 15 February, 1945, Bishop Flavian (Ivanov) of Krasnodar and Kuban (successor to Archbishop Photius) confirmed him in his service as Second Deacon of the Saint Catherine Cathedral of Krasnodar. At the same time, he was assigned to serve as a technical officer in the office of Bishop Flavian.

Hierodeacon Sergei (Petrov)

Higher education

In 1946, after its re-opening in 1944, Hierodeacon Sergei (Petrov) enrolled in the Moscow Theological Seminary, which functioned at that time in the Novodevichy Monastery in Moscow.

In 1946, in connection with his admission to the Moscow Theological Seminary, Bishop Flavian of Krasnodar and Kuban released him from the lists of the clergy of the Krasnodar Diocese, and he was transferred to the Moscow Diocese.

Novodevichy Monastery, Moscow

In 1947, Hierodeacon Sergei (Petrov) graduated from the Moscow Theological Seminary, and he enrolled in the Moscow Theological Academy.

In 1951, Hierodeacon Sergei graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy, with the degree of Candidate of Theology. His thesis was entitled "Saint Alexy as a Church-statesman".

Presbyteral ordination, 1951

On 24 June, 1951, Hierodeacon Sergei (Petrov) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in Moscow by Bishop Macariy (Daiev) of Mozhaisk.

Pastoral service

Saratov Theological Seminary, 1951

On 22 August, 1951, by the Resolution of the Training Committee at the Holy Synod, Hieromonk Sergei (Petrov) was assigned to serve as a teacher in the Saratov Theological Seminary in the Saratov Diocese.

Saratov Theological Seminary

Hieromonk Sergei was assigned to teach Liturgics, Homiletics, and Practical Guidance for Pastors. At the same time, he served as the assistant inspector of the Saratov Seminary.

Hieromonk Sergei (Petrov)

Transfer to the Diocese of Orlov and Bryansk, 1952

On 29 June, 1952, Hieromonk Sergei (Petrov) was released from his responsibilities at the Saratov Seminary, and he was transferred to the omophor of Bishop Flavian (Ivanov) of Orlov and Bryansk.

On 16 August, 1952, Bishop Flavian (Ivanov) assigned him to serve as Third Priest of the Ascension Cathedral in the city of Yelets in the Oryol Oblast.

Holy Ascension Cathedral, Yelets

Dean of the Holy Ascension Cathedral, Yelets, 1954

On 16 July, 1954, after the formation of the Lipetsk region and the entry of the city of Yelets into the Voronezh-Lipetsk diocese, Hieromonk Sergei (Petrov) was assigned by Archbishop Joseph (Orekhov) of Voronezh and Lipetsk to serve as acting rector of the Holy Ascension Cathedral of the town of Yelets in the Yelets county.

On 13 November, 1954, Archbishop Joseph (Orekhov) assigned him to be the chairman of the diocesan council.

On 17 January, 1955, Archbishop Joseph assigned him to serve as Dean of the Yeltsky County.

On Pascha, 1955, Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky) of Moscow and All Russia awarded him with a gold pectoral Cross.

On 13 January, 1956, Archbishop Joseph awarded him with a Blessed “Gramota” (Certificate of Blessing and Gratitude) for Father Sergei's efforts to restore the Ascension Cathedral of the city of Yelets. In addition, in gratitude to God for these same efforts, he was also awarded a Patriarchal “Gramota”.

Inspector of the Odessa Theological Seminary, 1958

On 10 March, 1958, by the Resolution of the Training Committee, Hieromonk Sergei (Petrov) was transferred and assigned to serve as the Assistant Inspector of the Odessa Theological Seminary in Odessa. In view of his assignment to the Odessa Theological Seminary, he was relieved of the responsibility as Rector of the Ascension Cathedral of the city of Yelets and the Dean of the parishes of the Yelets district.

At the time of the act of his transfer from the Ascension Cathedral, the members of the Parish Council, the audit commission, and the parish’s “twenty” (the 20 persons who acted as guarantors of the parish before the Soviet authorities) expressed gratitude and appreciation, as they noted, for his zealous works on the improvement of the magnificent cathedral. They specifically thanked him for taking care of the parish staff and for his pastoral care of all the believers and parishioners of the Ascension Cathedral.

From the time of his return to Odessa, Igumen Sergei benefitted from the presence and support of his mother, Nun Theodora (Petrova), who helped to maintain his household. He always referred to her respectfully by her monastic name and title.

Transfer to the Diocese of Kherson and Odessa, 1958

On 7 July, 1958, at the suggestion of Archbishop Boris (Vik) of Kherson (Chersonesus), and Odessa, Hieromonk Sergei (Petrov) was assigned to serve as the Inspector of the Odessa Theological Seminary.

Saint Panteleimon Odessa Theological Seminary in 1958

Odessa Seminary at the Dormition Monastery (after N Khrushchev closures)

At the same time, the Hieromonk Sergei (Petrov) was elevated to the dignity of igumen, and he was also given the pastoral staff of an abbot.

During the 1958–1959 school year, he taught the General History of the Christian Church in the Odessa Saint Panteleimon Seminary.

On 19 May, 1959, by the decree of Archbishop Boris (Vik), Igumen Sergei (Petrov) was assigned to serve as the Rector of the Saint Panteleimon Seminary Temple in Odessa.

On 26 May, 1959, Igumen Sergei (Petrov) was assigned to serve as the Rector of the Odessa Seminary.

On the same day, the Igumen Sergei (Petrov) was elevated to the dignity of archimandrite.

Archimandrite Sergei (Petrov)

Archimandrite Sergei (Petrov) was chosen by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church to become a bishop.

On 12 March, 1960, in the academic Temple of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra at Zagorsk (Sergeiev Posad), Archimandrite Sergius (Petrov) made his Confession of Faith, and he was named to be the Bishop-elect of Belgorod-Dniester, and Vicar-Bishop of the Kherson-Odessa Diocese. The bishops who participated at this service were Metropolitan Boris (Vik) of Kherson and Odessa ; Bishop Mikhail (Voskresensky) of Orenburg and Buzuluk ; Bishop Sergei (Goluvtsov) of Novgorod and Staraya Russa ; and Bishop Pimen (Izvekov) of Dmitrov, Vicar-Bishop of the Moscow Diocese.

Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra

Episcopal ordination, 1960

On 13 March, 1960, during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Trapeznaya (Refectory) Temple of Saint Sergius of Radonezh of the Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra, Archimandrite Sergei (Petrov) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate. He was ordained by Metropolitan Boris (Vik) of Odessa and Kherson ; with Bishop Michael (Voskresenskiy) of Orenburg and Buzuluk ; Bishop Sergiy (Golubtsov) of Novgorod and Staraya Russa ; and Bishop Pimen (Izvekov) of Dmitrov.

Episcopal ordination

Saint Sergius Refectory Temple

Bishop Sergei with Metropolitan Boris

Episcopal service

Bishop Sergei (Petrov) was assigned to be the Bishop of the Belgorod-Dniester Diocese (headquartered at Belgorod-Dniester), and Vicar-bishop of the Odessa diocese.

Holy Transfiguration/Ascension Cathedral, Belgorod-Dniester

Bishop Sergei with Metropolitan Boris (Vik) in Odessa

While Metropolitan Boris (Vik) was absent in the North American Exarchate (March-September, 1960), Bishop Sergei (Petrov) served as the temporary administrator of the Kherson-Odessa and Lugansk-Donetsk Dioceses.

From 28 August, 1960, Bishop Sergei served as a member of the Inter-Christian Relations Commission of the Russian Orthodox Church.

On 14 January, 1961, in view of the death of Metropolitan Joseph (Orekhov), the temporary administration of the Voronezh Diocese was entrusted to Bishop Sergei (Petrov).

1960s : Mother Theodora with Father Nicholas and Matushka Lubov Petrov in Odessa

Bishop of Voronezh and Lipetsk, 1961

On 6 March, 1961, Bishop Sergei (Petrov) was released from his responsibilities as Rector of the Odessa Theological Seminary, and he was transferred and assigned to be the Bishop of Voronezh and Lipetsk.

From 22 August, 1961 to 20 January, 1962, in view of the death of Archbishop Nikander (Viktorov) of Rostov and Novocherkassk, Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky) blessed Bishop Sergei (Petrov) to serve as the temporary administrator of the Rostov-on-Don diocese.

At the summer-winter sessions of 1962, Bishop Sergei (Petrov) served as a member of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.

In July, 1962, during the days of the World Congress for General Disarmament and Peace, Bishop Sergei (Petrov) accompanied a delegation of the Bulgarian Church, headed by Patriarch Kyril (Konstantinov) of Bulgaria. As a member of the Inter-Christian Relations Commission, he participated in receptions and interviews with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsey (Primate of the Church of England) and his associates of the Anglican Church during their visit to Britain from 31 July to 3 August, 1962.

On 9 October, 1963, Bishop Sergei (Petrov) was elevated to the dignity of archbishop, and he was awarded the right to wear a Cross on the klobuk.

Archbishop Sergei

On 17 October, 1963, Archbishop Sergei (Petrov) was assigned to serve as a member of the Commission of the Holy Synod on Christian Unity.

Archbishop of Minsk and Byelorus, 1963

On the same day, he was transferred and assigned to be the Archbishop of Minsk and Byelorus.

Archbishop of Kherson and Odessa, 1965

On 25 May, 1965, by the decree of Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky) and the Holy Synod, Archbishop Sergei (Petrov) was transferred and assigned to be the Archbishop of Kherson and Odessa.

Temporary administrator of the Diocese of Lugansk

At the same time, he was assigned temporarily to administer the Lugansk Diocese (from 1970-1990 called the Voroshilovgrad Diocese).

Master's degree, 1969

In 1969, at the Moscow Theological Academy, he successfully defended a master's thesis, entitled “History of the Voronezh Diocese from its Establishment to the present Day, Parts I-IV, 1961-1968”. The thesis was published under the title “History of the Voronezh Diocese from its Establishment until the 1960s”.

Metropolitan Sergei paid close attention to the activities of the monastery and Representation (embassy) of the Alexandrian Orthodox Church in Odessa.

By 1970, Mother Theodora (Petrova) had been elevated to the dignity of Igumenia (abbess). As customary for an abbess, she had the blessing to wear a pectoral Cross.

Metropolitan Sergei and Mother Theodora

In 1971, Archbishop Sergei participated in the work of the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church.

After this work, on 9 June, 1971, Archbishop Sergei (Petrov) was elevated to the dignity of metropolitan.

Metropolitan Sergei, his mother and brother (1972)

On 7 October, 1976, the diocese was renamed, and became known as the “Odessa and Kherson” Diocese.

Metropolitan Sergei and Bishop Kirill (Gundyaev)

Vladyka Sergei took part in the work of many international theological and peace forums and conferences : “Religious leaders for lasting peace, disarmament and fair relations between nations” (1977), and “Religious leaders for saving the sacred gift of life from nuclear catastrophe” (1982).

Pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the Holy Land, 1977

From 7 to 22 April, 1977, Vladyka Sergei led a group of pilgrims of the Russian Orthodox Church to Jerusalem and the Holy Land.

On 30 September, 1977, Metropolitan Sergei (Petrov) was awarded the right to wear 2 panagias.

1977, Odessa : Metropolitan Sergei, Mother Theodora, Archpriest Nicholas and family

In 1977, Patriarch Pimen (Izvekov) (1910-1990), when he was serving in Odessa, gave the right to wear a jewelled Cross in recognition of her personal struggle in remaining faithful to the Lord and the Church through the atheist years, for the manner in which she raised her sons during such difficult times, and on the occasion of her 85th birthday.

Metropolitan Sergei and family (1982)

Bereavement, 1983

On 15 January, 1983, Schema-Nun Seraphima (Petrova) fell asleep in the Lord in Odessa.

Mother Theodora had lived into deep old age (90 years). She had been a nun for 48 years. For the past 6 months of her life (in later 1982), she became seriously ill : her bodily forces gradually began to leave her ; she was more and more in bed in her monastic cell, without getting up. She was surrounded by warmth and care. She received Holy Communion daily until her last day. She was visited by Schema-Archimandrite Alexei (Philozov) and then Archimandrite Arseny (Gaenko). In view of her approaching repose, Mother Theodora asked to be given the Great Schema, which occurred on 21 November, 1982, on the Feast of the Archangel Michael, and she was given the name Seraphima. Soon, her condition began to deteriorate every day. Her repose in Christ came on the Feast-day of the Holy Elder Seraphim of Sarov.

The Funeral Service for the Burial of a Monk was served by Metropolitan Sergei (Petrov) in the Holy Dormition Catholicon of the Dormition Monastery in Odessa.

The next day, the Memorial Divine Liturgy and the final Litya for the Departed were served in the Holy Dormition Catholicon of the Dormition Monastery by Metropolitan Sergei (Petrov).

After the conclusion of the funeral services, the body of Schema-Nun Seraphima (Petrov) was interred in the Monastic Brotherhood Cemetery of the Dormition Monastery in Odessa.

Further archpastoral service

In 1985, Vladyka Sergei headed the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church at the World Interfaith Assembly in Bucharest (Romania).

Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate, 1986-1987

On 29 July, 1986, by a decision of the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Sergei (Petrov) was assigned to serve as the chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate.

From 1 September, 1986, to December, 1987, Metropolitan Sergei (Petrov) served as a permanent member of the Holy Synod, and he replaced Metropolitan Aleksey (Ridiger) of Leningrad.

Metropolitan Sergei with Patriarch Nikolaos VI of Alexandria and Patriarch Ilya II of Georgia

On 16 September, 1986, Metropolitan Sergei was assigned to serve as the chairman of the Executive Commission for the Restoration of and Construction in the Danilov Monastery in Moscow. This was at the beginning of a period of particular significance for the Russian Orthodox Church.

At the same time, he was assigned to serve as the deputy chairman of the Holy Synod about the preparation and celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia. He was entrusted with the organisational working group headed by the commission.

For his active peacemaking activities and in connexion with the 1000th Anniversary of the Baptism of Russia, Metropolitan Sergei was awarded the Order of Friendship of Peoples.

Metropolitan Sergei with Patriarch Pimen and Metropolitan Aleksey

On 30 December, 1987, by a decision of the Holy Synod, he was released from the post of Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate.

It is possible to understand that some of the difficulties which had to be endured by Metropolitan Sergei during his years of episcopal service were a consequence of the pressures exerted upon the Church by the Soviet state. However, because of the same pressure, there existed interpersonal stresses within the Holy Synod of Bishops at that time which attempted to keep Metropolitan Sergei at a distance from the main organs of decision-making.

In 1987, he participated in the work of the International Forum “For a Nuclear-Free World, for the Survival of Mankind”, held in Moscow.

In 1988, Metropolitan Sergei headed the religious group of the delegation of the Soviet Peace Committee at a meeting of citizens of the USSR and the USA, held during the summit talks in the USA.

Millennium Celebration of the Baptism of Rus' 1988

In 1988, Metropolitan Sergei took an active part in the celebration of the 1000th Anniversary of the Baptism of Russia in Moscow and in the Local Council dedicated to the anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Then he participated in millennium anniversary celebrations in Kyiv, and he later celebrated them in the dioceses under his omophor.

In October, 1989, Metropolitan Sergei participated in the celebration in Moscow of the 400th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Patriarchate in the Russian Orthodox Church, and in the Bishops' Council, which was held at Saint Daniel's Monastery.

Vladyka Sergei, at the head or as part of the delegations of the Russian Orthodox Church, visited many Christian churches and peace-making organisations in various countries of Europe, Asia, North America, Australia, and Africa. The last visit of Metropolitan Sergius abroad (in December, 1989) was associated with the sanctification of the Temple of the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God in the parish of the Moscow Patriarchate in the city of Sydney (Australia).

The last general ecclesiastical act in which Metropolitan Sergei (Petrov) participated was the Bishops' Assembly of the Russian Orthodox Church, which was held on 30-31 January, 1990, in the Saint Daniel Monastery. His always keenly recognised sense of responsibility prompted Vladyka to come to the Council, despite the serious illness that had already begun.

Repose, 1990

On 4 February, 1990, at the age of 65, Metropolitan Sergei (Petrov) fell asleep in the Lord in Odessa.

The Funeral Service for the Burial of a Hierarch was served on 7 February in the Odessa Dormition Cathedral by Metropolitan Leonty (Gudimov) of Simferopol and Crimea, together with Metropolitan Agafangel (Savvin) of Vinnitsia and Bratslav ; Bishop Jonathan (Yeletsky), Vicar-Bishop of the Odessa Diocese ; Bishop Ioannikiy (Kobzev) of Pereyaslav-Khmelnitski, Vicar-Bishop of Kyiv ; Bishop Vladimir (Kantaryan) of Chișinău and Moldova ; Archimandrite Theodore of the Monastery of the Alexandrian Representation Church in Odessa ; Archpriest Nikolai Petrov (brother of the departed metropolitan) of Moscow ; Archpriest Simeon Bozhka, Secretary of the Odessa Diocesan Administration ; Archpriest Alexander Kravchenko, Rector of the Odessa Theological Seminary ; and the Deans and Clergy of the Odessa and Voroshilovgrad (Luhansk) Dioceses.

After the conclusion of the funeral services, the body of Metropolitan Sergei (Petrov) was interred in the monastic cemetery of the Odessa Dormition Monastery, near the grave of his mother, the Schemanun Seraphima († 1983).

Grave of Metropolitan Sergei (Petrov)

Holy Dormition Cathedral, Odessa

Cemetery at the Holy Dormition Monastery, Odessa

— Bishop of Belgorod-Dniester 1960-1961. Preceded by : Bishop Gabriel (Tchepur). Succeeded by : Bishop Antoniy (Melnikov).

— Vicar-Bishop of Odessa 1960-1961.

— Bishop of Voronezh and Lipetsk 1961-1963. Preceded by : Bishop Joseph (Orekhov). Succeeded by : Bishop Nikon (Lysenko).

— Archbishop of Minsk and Byelorus 1963-1965. Preceded by : Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov). Succeeded by : Metropolitan Antoniy (Melnikov).

— Archbishop of Kherson and Odessa 1965-1971. Preceded by : Archbishop Antoniy (Melnikov).

— Administrator of Lugansk Diocese 1965-1990. Preceded by : ____. Succeeded by : ____.

— Metropolitan of Kherson and Odessa 1971-1976.

— Metropolitan of Odessa and Kherson 1976-1990. Preceded by : See name changed. Succeeded by : Metropolitan Leonty (Gudimov).

— Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate 1986-1987. Preceded by : Metropolitan Aleksey (Ridiger). Succeeded by : Metropolitan Vladimir (Sabodan).

— Permanent member of the Holy Synod 1986-1990.

Reflections

In 2021, a niece of Metropolitan Sergei (Petrov) lives in Canada. Some of the clergy serving in Canada were educated under his tutelage in Odessa in particular.

For almost a quarter of a century, Metropolitan Sergei (Petrov) devoted his service to the Odessa and Voroshilovograd (Luhansk) Dioceses. In the years of "Perestroika", he led the work of opening new parishes and reviving old parishes ; reviving the historic residence of the Saints of Odessa and Kherson in the Temple named for the Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalia. He guided the work of the diocese to assist victims of the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster and of the 1988 earthquake in Armenia.

Together with his mother, Nun Theodora (Petrova) (in the Great Schema : Seraphima), Metropolitan Sergei (Petrov) was for many years a spiritual disciple of Archimandrite Seraphim (Triapochka) of Belgorod until his repose in 1982. It was by his prayers that Nun Theodora found relief from her illness and pain.

On 4 February, 2020, a Memorial Divine Liturgy was served in the Holy Dormition Monastery for Metropolitan Sergei (Petrov. After this, a Panikhida (memorial service) was offered in Odessa at the grave of Metropolitan Sergei, in order to observe the 30th anniversary of his repose. The service was led by Metropolitan Agafangel (Savvin) of Odessa and Izmail. He was assisted by Archbishop Diodor (Vasilchuk) of Yuzhne ; Archbishop Viktor (Bykov) of Artsyz ; and by Archimandrite Seraphim (Rakovsky), rector of the Odessa Theological Seminary, and residents of the monastery.

30th Anniversary Panikhida, 2020

Awards

Metropolitan Sergius was honoured with the highest awards of the Russian Orthodox Church :

• Order of Saint Vladimir, 1st and 2nd degrees

• Order of Saint Sergius, 1st degree

• Order of Friendship of Peoples (1988), for peacemaking activities

• Patriarchal Gramota for the work on the restoration of the Ascension Cathedral in the city of Yelets

• Right to wear 2 panagias (1977)

Orders and medals of the Churches of Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Sinai and other Orthodox Churches

Writings

• ‘Saint Alexy, as a Church-statesman’ in “Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate” (JMP), no. 5, (1951). (Candidate of Theology degree thesis.)

• “Voice of Orthodoxy”, no. 2 (Berlin, 1952).

• ‘Ascension Cathedral in the Town of Yelets’ in “Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate” (JMP), no. 2 (1953).

• ‘Rector of the Odessa Theological Seminary, Archpriest N V Kontsevich’ in “Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate” (JMP), no. 5 (1959).

• ‘Bishop Mitrofan of Voronezh’ in “Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate” (JMP), no. 11 (1963).

• “The History of the Voronezh Diocese from its Establishment to the Present Day” (in four parts) (Typescript), 887 pages.

Writings about Metropolitan Sergei from various sources :

• “Alexander Kireev, Protodeacon of the Diocese and Hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1943-2002” (Moscow, 2002), p. 131.

• ‘Decree of the Holy Synod’ in the “Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate”, no. 12 (1976), p. 3.

“Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate” (JMP) :

• 1960, no. 4, p. 26-29.

• 1961, no. 4, p. 5.

• 1962, no. 3, p. 23.

• 1963, no. 11, p. 3.

• 1963, no. 6.

• 1965, no. 6, p. 2 ; no. 10, p. 1.

• 1966, no. 1, p. 35.

• 1967, no. 2, p. 29 ; no. 10, p. 13, 17.

• 1968, no. 2, p. 24 ; no. 4, p. 17 ; no. 8, p. 18 ; no. 9, p. 27 ; no. 11, p. 13, 30 ; no. 12, p. 34.

• 1969, no. 3, p. 21, no. 6, p. 17 ; no. 7, p. 8-9 ; no. 8, p. 17 ; no. 9, p. 19 ; no. 10, p. 22 ; no. 11, pp. 11, 21 ; no. 12, pp. 22, 26.

• 1970, no. 2, p. 44 ; no. 4, p. 28 ; no. 6, p. 22 ; no. 7, p. 11 ; no. 8, p. 28 ; no. 10, p. 29, 44 ; no. 11, pp. 16.

• 1971, no. 1, p. 25 ; no. 2, p. 16, 28 ; no. 4, p. 4 ; no. 5, p. 15 ; no. 6, p. 2 ; no. 7, p. 1 ; no. 8, pp. 46 ; no. 9, pp. 30, 31, 35, 36 ; no. 10, pp. 20, 24. ; no. 12, p.

• 1972, no. 3, pp. 13.31 ; no. 6, p. 46 ; no. 7, p. 24 ; no. 8, p. 30 ; no. 9, p. 24 ; no. 10, p.16 ; no. 11, pp. 2, 31 ; no. 12, pp. 26.

• 1973, no. 1, p. 30 ; no. 2, p. 12 ; no. 3, p. 11, 21 ; no. 5, p. 12 ; no. 7, p. 11, 13 ; no. 8, p. 8 ; no. 9, pp. 13, 14, 15 ; no. 10, pp. 15, no. 11, pp. 18, 31 ; no. 12, p. 21.

• 1974, no. 2, p. 21 ; no. 4, p. 44 ; no. 5, p. 17 ; no. 7, p. 13 ; no. 7, p. 31, no. 9, p. 9, 14, 19, 28 ; no. 10, pp. 26 ; no. 11, pp. 8-9.

• 1975, no. 1, p. 22 ; no. 2, p. 25-29 ; no. 3, p. 25, 29 ; no. 3, p. 31 ; no. 4, p. 11, 24 ; no. 6, pp. 11 ; no. 8, pp. 13, 30 ; no. 11, p. 19.

• 1976, no. 2, p. 12 ; no. 3, p. 7, 19 ; no. 4, p. 26 ; no. 5, p. 12 ; no. 6, p. 17-18 ; no. 7, p. 10 ; no. 9, pp. 21, 35 ; no. 11, pp. 17, 22 ; no. 12, p. 36.

• 1977, no. 5, p. 17, 18 ; no. 7, p. 3, 23 ; no. 8, p. 3 ; no. 9, p. 20 ; no. 11, p. 3, 6 ; no. 12, p. 23.

• 1978, no. 1, p. 23 ; no. 4, pp. 12, 19, 29 ; no. 5, p. 15 ; no. 6, p. 2, 22 ; no. 10, p. 17 ; no. 11, pp. 7 ; no. 12, pp. 20, 21.

• 1979, no. 1, p. 9 ; no. 2, p. 19, no. 3, p. 21 ; no. 4, p. 6 ; no. 5, p. 12, 36 ; no. 6, p. 2 ; no. 7, p. 14 ; no. 8, p. 5 ; no. 9, p. 6, 8, 13, 43 ; no. 11, p. 11, 13, 14, 30 ; no. 12, p.

• 1980, no. 1, p. 16, 26, 64 ; no. 2, p. 15, 29 ; no. 3, p. 15, 22, 28, no. 4, p. 30 ; no. 5, p. 7, 8, 50 ; no. 6, p. 15 ; no. 8, p. 4, 16 ; no. 9, p. 7, 34, 57 ; no. 10, p. 6 ; no. 11, p. 16, 21.

• 1981, no. 3, pp. 5, 13, 18 ; no. 5, p. 6 ; no. 8, p. 20 ; no. 9, p. 5, 8, 22, 28, 34 ; no. 11, s 4, 17, 20, 54.

• 1982, no. 1, p. 39 ; no. 3, p. 31, 58 ; no. 5, p. 17, no. 6, p. 38 ; no. 7, p. 32 ; no. 8, p. 9, 12 ; no. 10, p. 2 ; no. 12, p. 8, 34, 36, 53, 63, 124.

• 1983, no. 2, p. 44, 47 ; no. 3, p. 11, no. 8, p. 8, 14 ; no. 10, p. 37, 39, 62 ; no. 11, p. 7, no. 12, pp. 10, 11, 14, 18.

• 1984, no. 3, pp. 28, 68, 69 ; no. 4, p. 12, 46, 47 ; no. 5, p. 8 ; no. 7, p. 53, 55 ; no. 8, p. 11 ; no. 9, p. 5 ; no. 10, p. 55 ; no. 11, p. 16, 38, 42, 57.

• 1985, no. 1, p. 26 ; no. 2, p. 29 ; no. 4, p. 14 ; no. 5, p. 9 ; no. 8, p. 20, 48-49 ; no. 9, p. 3 ; no. 10, p. 16 ; no. 11, pp. 28, 38, 42, 44 ; no. 12, p. 19.

• 1986, no. 4, p. 25 ; no. 9, p. 2 ; no. 11, p. 10-11.

• 1988, no. 4, p. 10.

• ‘On a momentous day’ (Master’s thesis debate by I Orlov), in “Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate”, no. 7 (1969), pp. 8, 9.

• “State Archives of the Voronezh Region” (GAVO), F. 967. Op. 1. D. 68. L. 8, 9. (GAVO – acronym for the State Archives of the Voronezh Region)

• “State Archives of the Voronezh Region” (GAVO), F. 967. Op. 1. D. 164.