Although the second phase of the iconography of the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in the city of Jeonju has not yet been completed, the church already recalls the wonderful hymn of our Church: “Heaven, filled with many lights, has been shown forth as the Church, illuminating all the faithful; standing within it, we cry aloud: Make firm this house, O Lord!”
It was with these devout sentiments that the faithful took part on Sunday, July 26, 2026, in the Orthros and the Divine Liturgy, at which Metropolitan of Korea and Exarch of Japan Ambrosios presided over, concelebrating with the parish priest, Fr. Hilarion Jeong.
In his sermon, the Metropolitan, taking as his starting point the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, developed the theme “The Secret of Heavenly Blessing,” and concluded as follows: “The source of heavenly blessing always remains open to the whole world. Yet it can be closed, not by the will of God, but by our own unbelief and ingratitude. It is the duty of Christians to open it through faith and thanksgiving. Faith and thanksgiving: these are the two ‘hands’ with which we receive heavenly blessing.”
At the shared meal of love, everyone had the opportunity for brotherly fellowship with one another, as well as to express their gratitude to the team of iconographers and their assistants, and to pray that, with the help of God and the intercessions of the Theotokos, the work of iconographing the entire church may be completed in the near future.