« Pilgrimage to the Isle of Wight took place on Tsar's Days »

On July 17th, the Feast of the Royal Passion-Bearers the Tsar Nicholas, Tsaritsa Alexandra, Tsarevich Alexis and the Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia, the Southampton Parish of St Silouan, with the blessing of Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, organised a pilgrimage to places associated with them on the Isle of Wight.

The Divine Liturgy was served in the Church of St Mildred, built by Queen Victoria near Osborne on the Isle of Wight, one of her favourite retreats. Her granddaughters Alexandra and Elizabeth, the future Tsaritsa and Grand Duchess of Russia respectively, often stayed with her there following the early death of their mother, Princess Alice. Doubtless they prayed in this church. The Tsar and his family visited his cousin, King Edward VII, here in 1909.

The Liturgy was served by Archpriest Joseph Skinner, assisted by Deacon Viktor Nikiforov. Matushka Sarah and Paula Nicholson, Warden of the Parish of St Silouan, sang the service. Pilgrims came not only from Southampton but also from Portsmouth, Brighton and London.

After the Liturgy we enjoyed a picnic and time of fellowship in the beautiful grounds of the church.

The day concluded with a moleben and Akathist to the Royal Passion-Bearers, together with the Venerable Martyr, Grand Duchess Elizabeth, at the memorial to them in East Cowes erected three years ago. We were joined by representatives of the local community including Karl Love, Deputy Mayor of East Cowes.

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