The Diocese of Sourozh organises the bringing of the Holy Fire to Britain

The Diocese of Sourozh will organise the transport of the Miracleous Holy Fire from Jerusalem to the British Isles.

On the occasion of the joyful feast of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, with the assistance of the philanthropist Timothy Musatov, a chartered flight from Jerusalem to London will deliver the Holy Fire to London.

The Holy Fire will be delivered in time for the beginning of the Paschal services to the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Dormition and All Saints in Knightsbridge, London (Diocese of Sourozh). The Holy Fire will also be delivered to the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God and the Holy Royal Martyrs in Cheswick (Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad).

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On the Relationship of the Russian Orthodox Church to Current Events

In connection with the current crisis in diplomatic relations between the UK and the Russian Federation, we have received many requests for comment. In order to clarify certain evident misunderstandings, we wish to state the following:

1. The Russian Orthodox Church is not a State Church, but is completely independent of the various States in which she exercises her ministry. Our bishops are not nominated by the Prime Minister or any other politician, but by the other bishops.

2. Just as you do not have to be Roman in order to be Roman Catholic, so you do not have to be Russian in order to be Russian Orthodox and to belong to a Church which includes over 70 nationalities worldwide! Here in Britain both our clergy and our parishioners are diverse with respect to their ethnic and national origins. Many people who came from the territories of the former Soviet Union have settled here, married local people and acquired British citizenship.

3. As regards the present political crisis, we shall continue to pray ardently for Her Majesty the Queen, the civil authorities and the armed forces, just as we have done over the last 300 years of our presence here.

4. Likewise we pray for the recovery of those injured in the evil and criminal attack in Salisbury, and for the peace of the whole world.

Media Service of the Diocese of Sourozh

Russian Orthodox Church in Great Britain and Ireland

16 March 2018

Pan-Orthodox Vespers Celebrated in London

The traditional Pan-Orthodox Vespers was celebrated on the first Sunday in Lent at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Wisdom in Bayswater, London. His Grace, Bishop Athanasios of Tropaeou, presided in place of His Eminence, Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain. Archimandrite Theonas (Balkalis), the senior priest of the Cathedral, was principal celebrant, and clergy from all ten dioceses of the Local Orthodox Churches represented in London concelebrated. Despite the unseasonably cold weather, a large crowd of worshippers comfortably filled the Cathedral.

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Triumph of Orthodoxy celebrated in the Dormition Cathedral

On February 25, 2018, the Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh led the Divine Liturgy of St Basil the Great at the Dormition Cathedral in London. His Grace was assisted by clergymen of the cathedral: Archpriest Dmitry Karpenko, acting Sacristan of the Cathedral, Protodeacon Vadim Santsevich and Deacon Vladimir Castravets.

On this, the first Sunday of Lent, a large number of parishioners took part in the sacrament of Holy Communion, which was distrbuted to the faithful from five chalices.

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Pan-Orthodox Vespers on Sunday of Orthodoxy

The annual Pan-Orthodox Vespers in London will be celebrated at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Wisdom in Bayswater at 6.00 pm on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, Feb. 25th.

All are welcome. Full details here.

The Sacrament of Holy Unction in the London Dormition Cathedral

During the Lent in the Dormition Cathedral the Sacrament of Holy Unction will take place every week:

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An open Parish Meeting of the London Dormition Cathedral

Dear brothers and sisters!

On Sunday, March 11th 2018, after the Divine Liturgy an open Parish Meeting will be held at the London Cathedral. 

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Patriarchal Message on the Occasion of the Celebration of the Day of Orthodox Youth on 15th February 2018

Dear brothers and sisters,

I warmly greet you on the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord and the Day of Orthodox Youth.

Today the Church remembers the meeting of the Christ Child and the elder Simeon, who was ‘just and devout’ (Lk 2, 25). For many years the ancient elder had been anxiously waiting for the coming of the Saviour into the world, and God revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that the Child lying in Mary’s arms was indeed the long-awaited Messiah, Who would become for all peoples ‘a light to enlighten the Gentiles’ (Lk. 2, 32).

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Bishop Matthew of Sourozh attends meeting of the Lord Mayor of London with representatives of religious communities

On February 8, 2018, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh attended reception for archbishops and bishops of London given by the Lord Mayor of London Charles Bowman at Mansion House, his official residence.

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Timetable of services at the London Dormition Cathedral

Dear brothers and sisters,

We would like to inform you that from the beginning of February 2018 the times of morning and evening services in the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God in London will change. 

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Nativity Message of The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill

NATIVITY MESSAGE
of
The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill
to the
Archpastors, Pastors, Deacons, Monks and Nuns, 
and All the Faithful Children of the Russian Orthodox Church

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Christmas Services at the London Cathedral

Saturday Jan 6th - Eve of the Nativity of Christ

09.00 am - Hours and Divine Liturgy, followed by Great Vespers

6.30 pm - Vigil

11.30 pm - Hours and Midnight Divine Liturgy

Sunday Jan 7th - Nativity of Christ

09.30 am - Hours and Late Divine Liturgy

05.30 pm - Great Vespers, Matins & Polieley

Monday Jan 8th - Synaxis of the Mother of God. Ss Joseph the Betrothed, David the King & James, the Brother of the Lord

09.00 am - Hours and Divine Liturgy

Panikhida at the grave of Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh

On Friday, January 5th 2018, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh will celebrate a Panikhida at the grave of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh in Old Brompton Cemetery. 

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Concelebration of Archbishop Elisey and Bishop Matthew

On 31st December, 2017, the Sunday before the Nativity of Christ, Archbishop Elisey of The Hague and the Netherlands and Bishop Matthew of Sourozh will celebrate the Divine Liturgy together in the Dormition Cathedral. Archbishop Elisey, whom the Holy Synod has appointed as Ruling Bishop of the Diocese of The Hague and the Netherlands, will bid farewell to the parishioners of the Dormition Cathedral and Bishop Matthew will celebrate his first service as Ruling Bishop of the Diocese of Sourozh. 

A New Bishop for the Diocese of Sourozh

Press Release

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, at its quarterly meeting on December 28th, 2017, made a number of decisions concerning the appointment of bishops to its dioceses in Western Europe. Among these was the appointment of His Eminence Archbishop Elisey (Ganaba) as Archbishop of the The Hague and the Netherlands.

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Bishop Matthew is appointed Ruling Bishop of the Diocese of Sourozh

By the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of 28th December, 2018, His Grace Bishop Matthew (Andreev) is appointed Ruling Bishop of the Diocese of Sourozh.

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Celebrations on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the Diocese of Sourozh

The 55th anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Sourozh of the Russian Orthodox Church will be celebrated on December 18-19, 2017 at the Cathedral of the Dormition.

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60th Anniversary of Metropolitan Anthony's Episcopal Consecration

On 30th November, 1957, Archimandrite Anthony (Bloom) was consecrated in the London Cathedral as Bishop of Sergievo. This was the beginning of an episcopate that lasted nearly half a century and laid the foundation of the Diocese of Sourozh, which this year marks its 55th anniversary. In his acceptance speech, the future Metropolitan sketched the spiritual path that  had led him to monasticism, the priesthood and now the episcopal ministry.

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Joint Declaration by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby

On 21 November 2017, a meeting between His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby took place in Moscow. As the result of the meeting, a joint declaration was signed. Its text is given below.

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The oldest parishioner of the London Cathedral reposes in the Lord

The Diocese of Sourozh of the Russian Orthodox Church reports with regret the death on November 9, 2017, in the 90th year of her life, of the oldest parishioner of the Dormition Cathedral in London, Alexander Ivanovna Smirnova. 

Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh expresses his condolences to all the relatives and friends of Alexandra Ivanovna and calls upon the faithful children of the Diocese of Sourozh to pray diligently for the repose of newly-departed handmaid of God, Alexandra. 

Eternal remembrance!

An interview with Alexandra Ivanovna was published in the May, June, July and August 2016 issues of 'Cathedral Newsletter' (now 'Sourozh Messenger').