Mettingham Patronal Festival

08/09/2010

Please mark Saturday, the 6th of November in your diaries as the patronal festival of the Mettingham Church of the Icon of the Mother of God: the Joy of All Who Sorrow.  This will be the 24th of October by the church calendar, and the feast of the icon.  The Vigil will be served at 6 o' clock on the previous evening and the Divine Liturgy will be served at 10.30 on the day.  As this will fall on a Saturday this year, please let us make a special effort to support our brothers and sisters on their parish feast.

Please support our Haitian Mission

05/09/2010

While the news channels are currently focussed on the tragic situation in Pakistan, for which we must offer our prayers and give practical and financial support where we can, let us not forget the other places where the people are still suffering the effects of natural disaster.  The situation in Haiti is still incredibly difficult after the devastating earthquake at the beginning of this year.  A large proportion of the population is homeless as towns lie in ruin, and the already desperate state of poverty of many people has worsened.  According to news reports, the vast majority of the financial aid that was pledged by the international community during the initial media focus on Haiti has not been delivered.  The news cameras may have moved on but the intense problems remain.

Our church has a number of missionary parishes in Haiti, some of whose people are among those suffering.  To worsen the blow, one of their churches and their school were destroyed by the earthquake.  His Grace Bishop Michael of Geneva made an archpastoral visiation to the missions last month with Priest Matthew Williams.  Father Matthew reports that the evidence now of the work of Non-Government aid Organisations is diminished.  A number of our people are living and worshipping in tents and are relying solely on Orthodox support.  Any financial help that you are able to give will help to relieve the suffering of our brothers and sisters.  Donations can be safely made either through the Fund For Assistance or through the specially-formed Haiti Orthodox Family Relief.

Please give as generously as you can and do continue to pray fervently.

Iconostas at St Elisabeth's Wallasey

30/08/2010

Readers may remember that the glorious new iconostas at Dormition Cathedral in London was consecrated by His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion during his archpastoral visitation to our diocese last November.  The icons from the previous, temporary iconostas, however, have not been retired but have found a new home at the church in Wallasey, which was acquired for use last summer by the parish of St Elisabeth the New-Martyr.

These icons are part of the rich history of Orthodoxy in Great Britain and particularly of our Russian Orthodox Diocese of Great Britain and Ireland, and now, through the generosity of the cathedral parish in London, where they have been venerated for decades, they have found a new home in the Wallasey.  The final set of the Apostles was donated on the feast of the Dormition and will be mounted along the top of the iconostas on either side of the central Deisis.  It is hoped that they will be an inspiration and a call to prayer for all who enter the church, and may aid the mission of the Church in the northwest.  The parish of St Elisabeth is immensely grateful for this gift.

Feast of the Dormition

30/08/2010

His Eminence Archbishop Mark made an archpastoral visitation to the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God and the Holy Royal Martyrs on its principal patronal festival, on the 15th (28th NS) of August.  Parishioners from elsewhere in the diocese made a special effort to attend the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the cathedral, at which Priest Peter Baulk of the cathedral parish was elevated to the rank of Archpriest and Priest Paul Elliott, of the Wallasey parish of St Elisabeth, was awarded the privilege of wearing the gold pectoral Cross.

A Cross-Procession followed the Liturgy and was blessed with sunny weather, and a ceelebratory repast followed in the parish hall.  As ever, it was a joyous occasion for our small diocesan family and it is hoped that others from across the diocese will be able to attend next year.

To the newly-elevated Archpriest Peter and Priest Paul, may the Lord grant many years!

Cathedral Patronal Festival

25/08/2010

Saturday, the 28th of August (being the 15th of August in the Church calendar) will be the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God.  This is a time when we, as Christians, remember with joy the end of the earthly life of the Mother of God and her being received into eternal life, the first-fruits of the Christian people and a source of hope that we, too, may follow where she has gone.

This is also the patronal festival of the Dormition Cathedral in Chiswick, and Archbishop Mark will serve the Divine Liturgy there at 9.45 a.m.  This is a diocesan celebration and it would be good for as many people as possible to attend, properly preparing to receive the Mysteries of the Body and Blood of Christ.  Directions to the cathedral may be found by visiting the diocesan calendar.

Presviataja Bogoroditse, spasi nas!

Video of the Life of St Moses the Black

24/07/2010

Orthodox screenwriter Nathan Lewis has announced plans to put his script for a screenplay of the life of St Moses the Black into production.  A brief account of the life of St Moses may be read here.

Such videos of the lives of the Saints make the riches of our Faith more readily available to people who may otherwise have no contact with Orthodoxy.  Through the examples and intercessions of the Saints, many may find themselves led to the saving bosom of the Church.  This video of the life of St Moses will join those already produced and which have inspred thousands of people around the world.  However, the project requires monetary support.  If you think you might be able to help, please contact Nathan through his website.

Cathedral Patronal Festival

19/07/2010

His Grace Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh celebrated with the cathedral parish for their lesser Patronal Festival on Saturday, the 17th of July, being the 4th of July in the Church calendar and the feast of the Holy Royal Martyrs.  The lower church at the cathedral, which was consecrated some years ago, is dedicated in honour of the Holy Royal Martyrs, so this was a very special time in the life of the cathedral parish.

The principal Patronal Festival of the cathedral is the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God.  On the 28th of August, (the 15th of August in the Church calendar), Vladyka Mark will serve the Divine Liturgy, which will be followed by a Cross-procession and a celebratory meal.  This is an annual diocesan celebration and as many as possible are encouraged to attend.

Kursk Icon Itinerary

15/06/2010

The Kursk Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" is currently gracing the shores of Britain and may be venerated in the following places.

Wednesday, 16th June - The Church of St Elisabeth the New Martyr, Wallasey

The Church will be open from approximately 6 p.m.  Great Vespers will be served shortly after 6.30 and an informal evening of veneration will follow, including a Moleben and Akathist.

Saturday, 19th June - The Church of St John the Wonderworker, Colchester

His Grace Archbishop Mark will serve the hierarchical Divine Liturgy.  The reception of the bishop will take place at approximately 9.45 a.m. and the Liturgy will follow.  The icon will be available for veneration until 2.30 p.m.

Saturday, 19th June - The Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God and All Saints

The icon will visit the cathedral of our sister Diocese of Sourozh for the Resurrection Vigil on Saturday evening.  Their Graces Archbishops Mark and Elisey will concelebrate with other clergy.

Sunday, 20th June - The Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God and the Holy Royal Martyrs

His Grace Archbishop Mark will serve the hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the presence of the Icon at the cathedral of our diocese in Chiswick.  Trapeza will follow in the parish hall.

Monday, 21st June - The Church of the "Joy of All Who Sorrow" Icon of the Mother of God

The Icon will visit the church in Mettingham for services and veneration by the faithful from 6.30, when Compline and an Akathist will be offered.

The icon will leave Britain on Thursday, the 24th of June, being the 11th of June in the Church calendar, and the day that we commemorate the revelation of the hymn to the Mother of God, It is truly Meet.

Members of the Diocese Take Part in Sourozh Conference

07/07/2010

The 35th Annual Conference of the Diocese of Sourozh, our sister diocese in Great Britain & Ireland, took place over the weekend of the 4th to the 6th of June.  The topic was different states of the Christian life: marriage, monasticism, and the single life.  In addition to excellent and thought-provoking addresses and discussions on the above subjects, there were a number of other sessions dealing with spiritual and practical elements of Christian church and family life.

Made to feel very welcome were members of three parishes of our own diocese, who took full part at the conference.  His Grace Archbishop Elisey expressed his delight in the presence of members of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and his hope that this would become more of a regular occurrence in years to come.

More photographs from the conference may be viewed here.

Fund for Assistance

27/04/2010

Please remember to support the Fund for Assistance to the Russian Church Abroad.  The situation is still incredibly difficult in Haiti and Chile after the earthquakes of earlier this year and, while the news reporters have moved on, the suffering people of these lands still need our help.  Even if you are unable to give financially at this time, please continue to pray.