On June 9, 2024, in the Nilo-Stoloben desert, ceremonies were held on the occasion of the conversion of the relics of Venerable Nilo the Stoloben miracle worker. The previous evening, a small vespers was served in the monastery with akathist St. Nilu and a festive all-night vigil.

The Holy Liturgy in the Epiphany Cathedral of the Nilo-Stolobene Desert was served yesterday by Metropolitan Hilarion of Budapest and Hungary, Metropolitan Ioannikije of Montenegro and the Littoral, Metropolitan Aristarchus of Kemerovo and Prokopjev, as well as Metropolitan Amvrosije of Tver and Kashin. The bishops were served by the secretary of the Diocese of Tver, Archimandrite Boris (Tulupov), the governor of the Nilo-Stolobene Desert, Hieromonk Gavrilo (Baglaj), the cleric of the Serbian Orthodox Church, archpriest Ostoja Knežević, the abbot of the Boriso-Gleb Novotorj Monastery, Archimandrite Amfilohije (Zeljabovski) with his brothers, the clergy of the Diocese of Tver, the clergy Diocese of Kemerovo priest Dmitry Vladimirov and priest Jovan Pavlyuk, Archdeacon Roman Sokolov, deacons Mihail Bykov and Vyacheslav Li.

During the holy service, the youth choir of the Eparchy of Tver sang under the conductorship of Jelisaveta Piljugajeva, and the abbess of the monastery of the Eparchy of Tver, as well as numerous guests and pilgrims, attended the holiday service.

After the intercession prayer, the litany with the relics of St. Nile of Stolobenski went around the monastery, and during the litany a memorial service was held to the restorer of monastic life on the island of Stolobno, Archimandrite Vasian (Shust) and to the deceased inhabitants of the monastery. At the end of the procession, the icon of Stoloben martyrs Vitaly, Pavle, Dionysius and Vladimir was consecrated. Metropolitan Ambrose read a prayer for the consecration of the new icon, and Metropolitans Hilarion, Ioannikios and Aristarchus sprinkled the icon with holy water. Metropolitan Hilarion of Budapest and Hungary read a prayer to St. Nile, and archpastors and clergy worshiped his holy relics.

After the dismissal, the head of the Metropolis of Tver congratulated the archpastors, clergy, pilgrims and guests on the holiday - the day of remembrance of the monk Nil, the Holy Hermit, thanks to whom monastic life arose on the island, and he presented the icons of Nil Stolobenski to the bishops as a memorial and prayerful remembrance with particles of his Holy relics. After the presentation of the gifts, Metropolitan Hilarion of Budapest and Hungary greeted the faithful and thanked Metropolitan Amvrosi for his hospitality.

Metropolitan Ioanikije of Montenegro and the Coast said that he thanked God for deigning him to pray and participate in the celebration of the reverend and God-bearing father Nik Stolbenski. "I would especially like to express my respect and gratitude to my dear brother Metropolitan Amvrosi, with whom I have known for many years, for the invitation to pray together and participate in the celebration, thereby strengthening our friendship", said Metropolitan Ioannikije, emphasizing that he is especially grateful to Metropolitan Ambrose for giving him the opportunity to pray with Russian bishops, monks, clergy and the Russian people on Easter days. He also expressed joy over the rebirth of this holy family. "The resurrection of our Lord not only gives eternal life, but also enriches us with spiritual strength and gives us the possibility to restore our historical memory and everything that was lost," he said.

"I, as the archbishop of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, came from a country that is also rich in sanctuaries. Probably, many of you have heard about some saints who are in Montenegro, for example, Saint Basil of Ostrog", said the Bishop and conveyed the blessing of our saints to all who gathered with love and respect for the clergy and the people of Montenegro.

Metropolitan Ioannikije also emphasized that Montenegro has always treated Russia with love and respect, and our ties in history are deep, so we do not forget that it was Russia that helped us to resist the Agarian yoke that was on our land and to let's free

"Dear Bishops Hilarion, Aristarchus and Ambrose, visited Montenegro, and we are doing the same today, we visit each other, we support each other spiritually, and we hope that we will continue to stand together in our faith", concluded Metropolitan Ioannikije, greeting all with the most joyful greeting: Christ is risen!

Metropolitan Aristarkh of Kemerovo and Prokopje also thanked the hosts for the invitation and emphasized the great historical and spiritual significance of the celebration of St. Nile of Stolobenski.

At the end of the service, people, as is the custom here, passed under the relics of St. Nile, which the clergy held on a special stretcher, followed by a meal of love for more than 600 people.

source: https://tvereparhia.ru/news/events/v-nilo-stolobenskoj-pustyni-proshli-torzhestva-obretenija-moshhej-prepodobnogo-nila-stolobenskogo/