The memory of the Venerable Grand Duchess Nun Anna Kashinskaya has been revered by Edinovertsy throughout the entire existence of the Orthodox Old Believers in the bosom of the Russian Orthodox Church. Representatives of Edinoverie communities from different parts of Russia took an active part in the celebrations of the re-glorification of St. Anna on June 12/25, 1909 in the city of Kashin. At this event, with the blessing of the Holy Synod, they were given the opportunity to celebrate the episcopal all-night vigil and the Divine Liturgy in the old rite, led by the future Hieromartyr Bishop Hermogenes of Saratov, co-served by a host of Edinoverie clergy. After the re-canonization, icons of St. Anna Kashinskaya with fragments of her holy relics were presented to several churches of Edinoverie, including the St. Archangel Michael Church in Mikhailovskaya Sloboda. Now, His Eminence, Metropolitan Pavel of Krutitsy and Kolomna, Patriarchal Vicar of the Moscow Metropolitanate, has graciously bestowed his archpastoral blessing on the celebration of a solemn divine service with the conciliar ministry of clergy and the participation of parishioners of fraternal Edinoverie parishes.
The day before, an all-night vigil was held, which was led by the rector of the St. Archangel Michael Church, Archimandrite Irinarch, co-served by Archpriest Evgeny Sarancha and Priest Valery Bulychev, as well as guests from the Nizhny Novgorod Archdiocese: Hieromonk Sergius (Gaponov), rector of the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos of the village of Maloe Murashkino, Lysk diocese, and Priest Mikhail Tronin, rector of the our Lady of Joy of All Who Sorrow Edinoverie Church in the village of Semino, Gorodetsky diocese.
On the day of the feast, the above-mentioned clergymen were joined by the monk Siluan (Starostin), rector of the parish in honor of the Descent of the Holy Spirit in the village of Koltsovo in the Tolyatti diocese of the Samara Archdiocese; the monk Anthony (Anenko), rector of the Edinoverie church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God of the village of Ostashovo in the Kolomna Diocese of the Moscow Metropolitan Area; as well as cleric of the Kuznetsk Diocese of the Penza Metropolitan Area: Hieromonk Varsonofy (Yashin), rector of the Holy Cross Church of the Same faith in the city of Kuznetsk and other clergy.
The solemn service was performed with great spiritual uplift. The choir sang beautifully, led by the head singers Andrei Alexandrovich Antarinov and Galina Leonidovna Veryalina. Many parishioners who prepare for Communion during the days of the fast of the holy supreme Apostles Peter and Paul confessed the day before, and on the day of the feast they became partakers of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.
After the dismissal, a procession was held around the church with the presentation of the festive icon of the Holy Blessed Princess Nun Anna Kashinskaya. During the singing the velichanie for the Venerable, all the worshippers traditionally passed under her holy icon. After returning to the church, Archimandrite Irinarch proclaimed many years to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Metropolitan Pavel of Krutitsk and Kolomna, to the God-fearing Russian state, its Christ-loving army and Orthodox people, as well as to those who do good, serve, sing and work for the benefit of the Edinoverie St. Archangel Michael Church and to all who took part in the celebration of this day. The spiritual fellowship continued over a fraternal meal, during which many of those present shared unforgettable impressions of the service.
