The feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God at Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral on rue Daru

On 28 August 2026, the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, Metropolitan Jean of Dubna celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral on rue Daru, with the cathedral clergy concelebrating and many faithful present.

The cathedral follows the Julian calendar, so the Dormition, which the Church keeps on 15 August, falls here on 28 August in the civil calendar. It is the last of the twelve great feasts of the church year and is preceded by a two-week fast.

The Metropolitan’s homily

After the Liturgy Metropolitan Jean preached on the Orthodox teaching about the Mother of God. The feast of the Dormition, he said, teaches us to look at death with the eyes of faith:

It invites us to live each day in the light of eternity, with hope and with joy even in the face of death

After the service the Metropolitan had coffee with parishioners in the parish hall.

Source: the Archdiocese’s report; photos and video of the service.