Thursday
Nov302023

« On the name day of His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, a festive Divine Liturgy was celebrated »

Date30-11-2023
On November 29, 2023, the memory of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew (60), His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated his namesake day.
During the Divine Liturgy at the Dormition Cathedral in London, His Grace was assisted by Secretary of the Sourozh diocese, Archpriest Dimitry Nedostupenko, deans of all diocesan districts, clergy and guests of the Sourozh diocese.
The diaconal rank was headed by Protodeacon Vadim Santsevitch.
Liturgical chants were performed by the choir of the Dormition Cathedral under the direction of Dmitry Tugarinov.
At the small entrance, in recognition of his diligent pastoral labours, the oldest cleric of the Sourozh diocese, Archpriest Benedict Ramsden, on the proposal of His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, was awarded the Patriarchal liturgical award of the Russian Orthodox Church - the right to celebrate the Divine Liturgy with open Royal Doors until the “Our Father”. The right to wear a gold-colored pectoral cross was awarded to Priest Evgeniy Selensky, dean of the diocesan district of East Anglia, and Priest Alexander Menshikov, dean of the diocesan district of Scotland. Rector of the church of the Great Martyr St. George the Victorious in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, priest Viktor Akhryapin was awarded the right to wear a kamilavka. Deacon Vladimir Kastravets was awarded the right to wear a double orarion.
At the augmented litany, special prayer petitions were offered for the health of the namesake Archpastor.  Archpriest Dimitry read a prayer of gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ, our God, for the blessings to Bishop Matthew.
At the communion verse, the Archpastor awarded the right to wear the orarion to Matthew Kuzmin.
At the end of the Liturgy, Bishop Matthew and the concelebrating clergy performed a prayerful glorification in front of the icon of the Holy Apostle Matthew.
After the dismissal, Vladyka addressed those present at the divine service with words of spiritual edification.
On behalf of the clergy, monastics and laity of the Sourozh diocese, the diocesan Secretary, Archpriest Dimitry Nedostupenko, congratulated Vladyka with his name day. Father Dimitri presented the Archpastor with a holy prosphora and a bouquet of flowers.
On behalf of the clergy, staff and parishioners of the Dormition Cathedral in London, Archpriest Dimitry presented His Eminence with a commemorative hierarchical cross and panagia.
Vladyka Matthew warmly thanked the clergy and parishioners for the joy of joint prayer and participation in the Divine Liturgy, especially noting the presence of the guests: cleric of the Archdiocese of Western European parishes of the Russian tradition, Hegumen Theophan (Willis) and cleric of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Hieromonk Theodore (Stanway), teacher of the Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, USA.
In conclusion, His Grace awarded Archpriest Benedict Ramsden the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov II degree in connection with the 50th anniversary of his priesthood and his 85th birthday.
After the divine service, a festive meal took place.