Divine liturgy in Azerbaijani: historic first in Baku church Celebration of multiculturalism / PHOTOS / VIDEO

For the first time in history, the Divine Liturgy was conducted in the Azerbaijani language at the Cathedral of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women in Baku.

According to Caliber.Az, the press service of the Baku and Azerbaijan Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church reported that the work of translating prayers and liturgical texts into Azerbaijani began in 2022 with the blessing of Acting Head of the Baku Diocese, Archbishop Feofilakt of Pyatigorsk and Cherkessk. The translation project was carried out by a working group under the leadership of Archimandrite Alexiy (Nikonorov).

The main translation work was done by Ali (Luka) Aslanli and Toral (Pavel) Aghayev. In March 2024, an Orthodox prayer book in Azerbaijani was published. The translation of liturgical texts continued with the blessing and active support of Bishop Alexiy of Baku and Azerbaijan.

Translations into Azerbaijani were completed for the rites of Baptism, Chrismation, memorial services, and several akathists.

This work received high praise from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Rus’ during his primatial visit to Baku in May 2025.

In parallel with the translations, a complex effort was undertaken to transcribe the chants of the Divine Liturgy into musical notation. This was done by Emil Mirzoyev, a native of Baku and choirmaster of the Vladimir Cathedral in Stavropol, enabling the first-ever Orthodox liturgy in Azerbaijani.

The service was led by the rector of the Cathedral of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women in Baku, Archpriest Dionisy Svechnikov, concelebrated by Archpriest Konstantin Pominov, Priest Maksim Medvedev, Protodeacon Vadim Tokarev, and Deacon Veniamin Sultanov. Bishop Alexiy of Baku and Azerbaijan attended the service.

The choir of the cathedral, conducted by Nelly Israfilova, performed the chants of the Divine Liturgy. Azerbaijani Orthodox faithful attended the service, for whom the opportunity to hear the entire liturgy in their native language was a great joy.

By Timur Rzayev