Orthodox liturgy held in Azerbaijani for the first time in Baku

An Orthodox Divine Liturgy was held in Azerbaijani for the first time in history at the Cathedral of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women in Baku.

The Baku and Azerbaijan Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church said work on translating liturgical and prayer texts into Azerbaijani began in 2022 with the blessing of the clergy. An Orthodox prayer book in Azerbaijani was published in March 2024, followed by translations of sacraments and other liturgical texts.

Liturgical chants were also adapted into musical notation, allowing a full service to be conducted in Azerbaijani. The service was led by Cathedral Rector Archpriest Dionisy Svechnikov, with the participation of Bishop Alexy of Baku and Azerbaijan.

Orthodox Azerbaijanis attended the service, describing the opportunity to hear the liturgy in their native language as a significant milestone.