On Holy Wednesday, Metropolitan Herman celebrated the last Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts this year

His Eminence was served by the abbot of the monastery, Hegumen Seraphim (Kotelnikov) with the brethren in holy orders.

On Great Wednesday, the Church in the Gospel readings commemorates the betrayal of Jesus Christ by his disciple Judas for 30 Srebrenikov. The Gospel story begins from that moment, when Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper. Then a certain woman, a "sinner," came to Him and brought with her precious myrrh, which she poured on the head of the Savior. The disciples were indignant at such extravagance, but Jesus stopped them, By interpreting, that she had done a good deed for Him, thereby preparing His body for burial. At the same time, Judas Iscariot, one of Christ's disciples, conspired with the chief priests and promised to give up the Lord for a reward, Then they offered him for it 30 Srebrenikov.

All the liturgical texts and hymns of this day prepare us for terrible events. The Savior has already been condemned and betrayed, the hour of His suffering is approaching.

On this day, the last Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts of the year is celebrated, and for the last time the prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian is read with three great prostrations. From that moment on, prostrations in the temple until the very day of Pentecost (Feast of the Holy Trinity) Fall. The exception is bowing before the Shroud, which depicts the departed Christ.

At the end of the service, Metropolitan Herman performed a funeral litany at the grave of the ever-remembered Bishop Benjamin (Koroleva).

Source: website of the Diocese of Kursk