Azerbaijan reveres St. Bartholomew’s memory in Baku’s center PHOTO

A prayer service was carried out and akathist hymn was performed to the saint in the Old City – Icherisheher near the Maiden Tower, the place of death of St. Bartholomew Apostle on June 24, on the day of memory of Bartholomew Apostle - the heavenly patron of Azerbaijan’s Baku city.

After a two-year break due to quarantine restrictions, the clergy and laity of the Baku diocese again had the opportunity to gather for conciliar prayer on the foundation of the chapel dedicated to Bartholomew Apostle erected in the 19th century and destroyed in 1936, the Diocese of Baku and Azerbaijan told Caliber.Az.

The prayer service brought together many believers who wanted to pray to the saint and ask for his help and intercession. The cathedral of the clergy was headed by the abbot of Baku, head of the Archangel Michael Church, Archpriest Methodius (Efendiev).

Liturgical chants were performed by the choir of the Archangel Michael Church in Baku. A representative of the Apostolic Prefecture of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan also attended the service.

The celebration continued in all churches of the Baku diocese with festive Divine Liturgies.

The Orthodox community of Azerbaijan reveres the memory of St. Bartholomew, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ every June 24, who, according to ancient legend, was the first to preach the Gospel on the Azerbaijani lands.

The memory of St. Bartholomew is highly revered by the Orthodox and Catholics of Azerbaijan. His memory is also revered by both churches as a prayer intercessor and patron of Azerbaijan.